Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)

The DCSS is responsible for determining paternity, locating NCPs, and establishing and enforcing child, medical, and/or spousal support for CalWORKs and Medi-Cal recipients. Child and medical support services are also available without charge to persons who do not receive aid. To locate NCPs, the DCSS accesses state and federal "locate resources" (such as, the EDD, the FTB, the IRS, the DMV, the Credit Bureau, and other federal and state databases). This is accomplished through DCSS's computer system.

To collect support from the NCP, the DCSS can:

• Obtain wage withholding.
• Intercept tax refunds, lottery winnings, and/or 25% of UIB/DIB benefits.
• File liens against real property.
• File civil and criminal contempt charges.
• Garnish assets and wages.
• Suspend or revoke driver’s license or business license.
• Deny the application for a passport.
• Establish an automatic payment for which a support payment is withdrawn from the NCP’s bank account.

DCSS Receipt of Support Referral

Upon receiving the child or medical support referral from SSA, the DCSS sets up a case within 20 days by following the procedures below:

1. Establishes a DCSS case in the name of the NCP, assigns a DCSS case number, and records the case information into their system.
2. Reviews the referral (DCSS’s Intake Unit), takes initiating action, or closes the case if closure criteria is met.
3. Assigns the case to a team of CSOs based on the NCP's last name.

Related Topics

Direct Support & the State Disbursement Unit Overview

State Disbursement Unit (SDU)