Montana Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
Montana's Child Support Services Division (CSSD), part of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, runs child support statewide through regional offices in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula.
Phone
1-800-346-5437Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Public Health and Human Services – Child Support Services Division
CSSD Central Mail Unit, P.O. Box 202943
Helena, MT 59620-2943
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗Enforcement
Report Missed Payments ↗About the Department of Public Health and Human Services – Child Support Services Division
CSSD is Montana's IV-D agency, run statewide under DPHHS with regional offices in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula rather than independent county programs.
The division locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active, with online payment lookup and case tools available statewide.
Montana uses the Melson Formula model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
Montana'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 Montana →
How to Apply for Child Support in Montana
A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for Montana child support services by contacting CSSD or a regional office. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Montana 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. CSSD then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in Montana
Montana collects most support through income withholding once an order is active, disbursed to the receiving parent by direct deposit or debit card.
Payments can be made and tracked through Montana's online payment portal and payment lookup tool, available regardless of which regional office is handling the case.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
CSSD's enforcement page lists tools including tax refund interception, license suspension, and credit bureau reporting for parents who fall 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
How do I apply for Montana child support services? +
By contacting CSSD directly or a regional office in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, or Missoula. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in Montana are typically referred automatically.
How do I check my Montana child support payment history? +
Through the online payment lookup tool at app.mt.gov/csed, available regardless of which regional office is handling your case.
What happens if the other parent stops paying in Montana? +
CSSD can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and report arrears to credit bureaus. Once past-due support exceeds $2,500, a passport can also be denied under federal law.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how Montana calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
Montana'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 Montana.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside Montana.
Learn more →This page is your Montana starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Public Health and Human Services – Child Support Services Division 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 Montana, interstate rules — not Montana'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.