Kentucky Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Kentucky's child support program moved to the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) under the Office of the Attorney General on July 1, 2025, after previously being run through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Phone
800-248-1163Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Office of the Attorney General – Department of Child Support Services
Child Support Services, P.O. Box 14059
Lexington, KY 40512-4059
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗About the Office of the Attorney General – Department of Child Support Services
Kentucky's program recently changed hands: state legislation in 2023 and 2025 moved child support out of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and reorganized it under the Attorney General's office as the new Department of Child Support Services, effective July 1, 2025. Some older forms may still reference the previous agency during the transition.
DCSS is a state IV-D agency with local offices staffed by county attorneys employed by the state agency, rather than independently run county programs. It locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active.
Kentucky uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Kentucky'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 Kentucky →
How to Apply for Child Support in Kentucky
A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Kentucky child support services through the online account system. Families already receiving K-TAP or Medicaid in Kentucky 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. DCSS then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Kentucky
Kentucky collects most support through income withholding once an order is active, disbursed to the receiving parent by direct deposit or debit card.
Payments can also be made online through the same interactive site used for case management, though a fee applies for payments made online or by phone.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
Kentucky can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and report arrears to credit bureaus when a parent falls behind on payments.
As in every state, federal law allows a passport to be denied or revoked once past-due support exceeds $2,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kentucky child support still run by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services? +
No — as of July 1, 2025, Kentucky's program moved to the new Department of Child Support Services under the Office of the Attorney General. Some older references to the previous agency may still appear during the transition.
How do I apply for Kentucky child support services? +
Through the online account system at kentuckychildsupport.ky.gov. Families already receiving K-TAP or Medicaid in Kentucky are typically referred for services automatically.
Is there a fee to pay Kentucky child support online? +
Yes — a fee applies for payments made online or by phone through Kentucky's interactive child support site.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Kentucky calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Kentucky'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 Kentucky.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Kentucky.
Learn more →This page is your Kentucky starting point
Contact information above covers what the Office of the Attorney General – Department 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 Kentucky, interstate rules — not Kentucky'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.