How It Is Administered

OCSS helps child support agencies in the states and tribes develop, manage, and operate their programs effectively and according to federal law.

• Financially support child support program operations
• Provide grants for state Access and Visitation programs
• Provide policy guidance and technical help
• Conduct audits and educational programs
• Support research and provide grants for program improvement
• Operate the Federal Parent Locator Service and the National Directory of New Hires
• Work with states to provide limited enforcement services, such as federal tax refund intercepts and passport denials
• Work with employers and other private and public partners
• Help with intergovernmental child support cases

Expected Goals

The child support program annually measures and reports its progress toward achieving the following goals:

• All children have established parentage.
• All children in child support cases have appropriate support orders.
• All children in child support cases receive timely and consistent financial support from parents as ordered.
• All children in child support cases will receive payments on overdue support.
• The child support program will be efficient and responsive in its operations.

Brief History of the Program

Established Date

The child support program was established in 1975.

Reason It Was Formed

Congress began the child support program to reimburse benefits paid by the government’s welfare programs. Congress changed the program in 1996 as part of the new welfare reform laws to expand the role of technology and ensure children receive more of the support paid by their parents. Today, the child support program has emerged as a family support program providing significant income for vulnerable families.

Children Served