Child Support Enforcement Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I apply for child support services?

A. If you receive Temporary Cash Assistance or Medical Assistance, child support services will be provided free of charge. If not, you will need to complete an application for child support services with your local child support enforcement office and pay an application fee of $25.00 with the submission of your application. To have an application mailed to you or for further information, please contact the local child supportenforcement office in your area, or telephone the Child Support Enforcement Administration at 1-800-332-6347.

Open a Child Support Case

Q2. Does my case qualify for the federally mandated $25.00 fee?

A. Effective October 1, 2008, the Maryland Child Support Enforcement Administration requires customers who have never received Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) for a related child support case to pay a $25 annual collection fee.

You must pay the $25 annual collection fee if:

You do not have to pay the $25 annual collection fee if:

Examples:

Mary and John have baby Sue and Mary receives TCA for baby Sue, Mary does not pay the $25.00 dollar annual collection fee for the related child support case.

Mary and Pete have baby Tommy and Mary has never received TCA for baby Tommy, Mary does have to pay the $25.00 dollar annual collection fee for the related child support case.

Q3. What services are available through my local office of child support?

A. There are a number of services available through your local office of child support enforcement:

  1. Searching for the other parent
  2. Legally establishing paternity
  3. Obtaining a court order for child support and health insurance coverage
  4. Collecting support payments
  5. Enforcing the court order
  6. Reviewing and adjusting the court ordered support amount

Keep in mind that you have the right to obtain child support services in a timely manner. You can help by cooperating fully with your child support enforcement staff in any attempt they make on your behalf.

Q4. What if I do not know where the other parent is?

A. If you can not locate your child's other parent, your child support enforcement office will conduct a search. To help do this, you should provide as much information about the other parent as you can. The more information you provide, the easier it will be to find the other parent.

Q5. How can I establish paternity for my child?

A. If you were not married at the time your child was conceived or born, your child support enforcement office will help you establish paternity. Establishing paternity is important for several reasons:

  1. It will establish a father-child relationship, enable your child to benefit from that relationship, and give your child a sense of identity.
  2. It will allow the father's name to be listed on the child's birth certificate.
  3. It will give the father the right to seek child custody and visitation through a court action and to be consulted about adoption.
  4. It will give your child the right to important benefits from both parents; such as financial support, inheritance, social security veteran's venefits, life insurance and health insurance.
  5. It will make it easier for you child to learn the medical histories of both parents and to possibly benefit from medical insurance through a parent't employer, union or military service.

If the father acknowledges paternity, it is not always necessary to have a court trial.

You may apply for paternity establishment without filing for child support. To have an application mailed to you or for further information, please contact the local child support enforcement office in your area, or telephone the Child Support Enforcement Administration at 1-800-332-6347.

Q6. How can I obtain a court order for child support and health insurance coverage?

A. Your child support enforcement office has lawyers who will take your case to court so you may not need to hire an attorney. If the case is successful, the court will order the other parent to pay regularly to support your child.

Q7. How will I receive my money?

A. If you receive Temporary Cash Assistance, any child support payments collected will be kept by the State as reimbursement. If you no longer receive Temporary Cash Assistance, your current support, as well as any payments made on arrears due you, will be mailed to you. If you have never received Temporary Cash Assistance payments, you will receive all monies collected. Payments will be mailed within 2 days of receipt, or you may opt to have your child support payments deposited directly into your bank account. Contact the Child Support Enforcement Administration Customer Service Unit at 1-800-332-6347 to arrange for direct deposit of your child support payments.

Q8. What will happen if the other parent just won't pay?

A. If the other parent does not pay on time or does not pay in full, your child support enforcement office may:

  1. Withhold child support from wages and unemployment benefits;
  2. Intercept Federal and State tax refunds to pay child support arrears;
  3. Report parents owing past-due support to credit bureaus;
  4. Refer parents owing past-due support to the Motor Vehicle Administration for driver's license suspension;
  5. Intercept Maryland lottery winnings to pay child support arrears;
  6. Bring contempt of court actions against parents who do not comply with their child support court order;
  7. Refer cases for Federal prosecution when non-custodial parents move to another state to avoid paying child support.

Q9. How can the other parent's tax refunds be intercepted?

A. If the other parent owes arrears on a child support order, any income tax refund due may be intercepted and applied to the arrears. For instance, if you used to receive Temporary Cash Assistance payments and the other parent's State income tax refund is intercepted, it may be paid to you. If the other parent's Federal income tax is intercepted, arrears to the State must be paid first. If you are currently receiving Temporary Cash Assistance payments, the other parent's State income tax refund is also applied to arrears due to the State. If you never received Temporary Cash Assistance, the intercepted Federal or State income tax refund will be paid to you.

Q10. What do I do if I feel that the court-ordered amount of child support is too low?

A. You or the other parent may request a periodic review of your case for a possible change in the court-ordered amount of your child support. A modification may be requested to reduce or increase the support. For additional information contact one of our customer service representatives.

Q11. What happens if the other parent does not live in Maryland?

A. Your child support enforcement office will work to establish paternity, collect support for your child, or resolve any issues you may have with your case, even if the other parent lives in another state or country.