Child Support is an obligation of a parent to provide emotional, financial, and medical support for a child or children.

Child support cases are generally assigned to three categories: intake, collections or parent locate. An intake case is one in which an order for support and/or paternity has not yet been established. A collection case is one in which an enforceable order for support exists. A case in parent locate is one in which the location, place of employment, or assets of the non-custodial parent are unknown.

COLLECTIONS UNIT/THIBODAUX REGIONAL OFFICE

888-524-3578

• Enforcement and collection of child support orders

WHO CAN GET HELP?

• Any parent or person responsible for child(ren) who needs our services
• Anyone who receives FITAP, KCSP, or is referred to SES by Medicaid automatically receives child support enforcement services and assigns rights of support to the state.
• Anyone who does not receive FITAP, Kinship Care, or Medicaid may apply for SES services and pay an application fee of $25.

An application can be obtained by clicking on the following link or by visiting the Department of Social Services website: www.dss.state.la.us. The DSS website also gives detailed information on establishing paternity, establishing orders and how child support is calculated. The child support award guidelines and the child support worksheet can be downloaded from this website.

FAQ’S

1. Where do I send my payments?

Centralized Collection Unit
P.O. Box 260222
Baton Rouge, LA 70826

2. How do I get in touch with my worker?

The Intake office can be reached by calling 985-652-1657.
The Collections office can be reached by calling 1-888-524-3578. If my child receives Medicaid, how do I begin the child support process?

Contact the Medicaid/ office and ask them to refer a case to the child support office; this is a free referral. When the referral is received by the child support office, you will be sent an application in the mail. Applicants who receive Fitap are automatically referred to Support Enforcement Services.

4. How long will the Intake process take?

The length of the Intake process is determined by the verification of the non-custodial parent’s address and the cooperation of the non-custodial parent. Many variables determine the length of time before a child support order is rendered.

5. Once child support is established, is visitation awarded?

No. Support Enforcement Services does not award visitation or custody of the minor child(ren) involved in a case. This is separate action that either party must initiate themselves in civil court.

6.  Is the support obligation a standard amount for everyone?

No. Child support is set based on both parties monthly gross income and in accordance with Louisiana Child Support Guidelines. Considerations may also be given for insurance costs, school tuition, day care, joint/shared custody, extraordinary medical expenses, and previous child support orders.