South Carolina Child Support Office
Updated August 2026
South Carolina's Child Support Services Division, part of the Department of Social Services (DSS), runs child support statewide with four regional offices covering Midlands, Pee Dee, Lowcountry, and Upstate.
Phone
1-800-768-5858Official Website
Official Site ↗Mailing Address
Department of Social Services – Child Support Services Division
P.O. Box 1469
Columbia, SC 29202-1469
Case Account
Manage Your Case ↗Payments
Make a Payment ↗About the Department of Social Services – Child Support Services Division
South Carolina's Child Support Services Division is a state-run division of DSS, organized into four regional offices — Midlands, Pee Dee, Lowcountry, and Upstate — rather than independent county agencies, with Columbia/Midlands as the central hub.
The division locates noncustodial parents, establishes paternity, sets support orders, and collects and enforces payments once a case is active, with case management available through the Child Support Customer Service Portal.
South Carolina uses the Income Shares model to calculate support. See how this compares to other states →
South Carolina'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 South Carolina →
How to Apply for Child Support in South Carolina
A parent or caretaker of a child can apply for South Carolina child support services through the customer service portal or by contacting a regional office. Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in South Carolina 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. The division then works to establish paternity if needed and get a support order in place.
How to Collect Child Support Payments in South Carolina
South Carolina 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 ExpertPay or in cash through MoneyGram, and both parents can check case status through the customer service portal.
Missed Payments & Enforcement
South Carolina can intercept tax refunds, suspend licenses, and report arrears to credit bureaus when a parent falls behind on payments. The division's contact page also includes an anonymous tip option for reporting a noncustodial parent's location.
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 South Carolina child support services? +
Through the Child Support Customer Service Portal or by contacting your regional office (Midlands, Pee Dee, Lowcountry, or Upstate). Families already receiving TANF or Medicaid in South Carolina are typically referred automatically.
Can I anonymously report where a parent who owes support is located? +
Yes — DSS's contact page includes an anonymous tip option for reporting a noncustodial parent's location to help locate them for a case.
How do I make a South Carolina child support payment? +
Through ExpertPay online, or in cash through MoneyGram.
Helpful Resources
Calculator & Guidelines
See how South Carolina calculates the current amount, and how it compares to other states.
Learn more →When Support Ends
South Carolina'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 South Carolina.
Learn more →Interstate Cases
How UIFSA determines jurisdiction when the other parent lives outside South Carolina.
Learn more →This page is your South Carolina starting point
Contact information above covers what the Department of Social 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 South Carolina, interstate rules — not South Carolina'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.