Connecticut Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Connecticut's Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), part of the Department of Social Services, runs child support statewide through 12 regional field offices.
Phone
1-888-233-7223Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Social Services – Office of Child Support Services
55 Farmington Ave
Hartford, CT 06105
Payments
Make a Payment ↗Enforcement
Report Missed Payments ↗About the Department of Social Services – Office of Child Support Services
OCSS is Connecticut's IV-D agency, run statewide through DSS with 12 regional field offices rather than county-run agencies. A related but separate arm, Support Enforcement Services, operates under the state Judicial Branch to handle court-based enforcement and modification hearings.
OCSS locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active, with a statewide Administrative Enforcement Unit handling tools like tax offset and license suspension.
Connecticut uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Connecticut's default child support termination age is 18. See the full rules, including high school and disability extensions →
Circumstances change — see how to request a modification in Connecticut →
How to Apply for Child Support in Connecticut
A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Connecticut child support services by contacting OCSS or a regional field office. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Connecticut are typically referred for services automatically.
The application requires identifying information for both parents and the child, along with any existing custody or support paperwork. Once a case opens, OCSS works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Connecticut
Connecticut collects most support through income withholding, processed by the State Disbursement Unit and paid out to the receiving parent by direct deposit or debit card.
Parents can make and track payments through the Connecticut Child Support Payment Resource Center (SMART Pay), which also shows payment history and case status.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
The statewide Administrative Enforcement Unit can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, seize lottery winnings, place liens, and report arrears to credit bureaus when a parent falls behind.
As in every state, federal law allows a passport to be denied or revoked once past-due support exceeds $2,500. Court-based enforcement, including contempt proceedings, runs through Support Enforcement Services and the Family Support Magistrate system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Connecticut child support services? +
By contacting OCSS directly or one of the state's 12 regional field offices. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Connecticut are typically referred for services automatically.
What is Connecticut Support Enforcement Services? +
A separate arm operating under the state Judicial Branch that handles court-based enforcement and modification hearings through Family Support Magistrates, working alongside OCSS's administrative enforcement tools.
How do I make a Connecticut child support payment? +
Through the Connecticut Child Support Payment Resource Center (SMART Pay) online, which also shows payment history and case status.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Connecticut calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Connecticut's default termination age, plus how high school, disability, or college can extend it.
Learn more →Modify an Order
What counts as a substantial change and how to request a modification in Connecticut.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Connecticut.
Learn more →This page is your Connecticut starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Social Services – Office of Child Support Services handles directly, but the guideline model, termination age, and modification rules that decide your amount live on the dedicated pages linked here. And if the other parent lives outside Connecticut, interstate rules — not Connecticut's own procedures — determine which state has authority.
Nearby State Child Support Offices
Rules, portals, and enforcement tools change at the state line. If a case involves parents in more than one state, start with each state's own office — interstate cases are handled through direct cooperation between the agencies involved.