FAQs

Who is eligible for your services?

Either parent or the legal caretaker of a child is eligible for our services and may open a case in our office. If you are receiving CalWORKs, the Department of Human Services will automatically refer your case to us.

I am not receiving public assistance, how do I apply for your services?
You can visit the child support office or call 1-(866) 901-3212 to have the forms sent to you through the mail. You may also download an application for services

TurboCourt

You may complete your Application Packet on line using a program called TurboCourt. This is an independent program that asks questions designed to collect the necessary information to open and process a child support case. TurboCourt guides you through the process and provides helpful information along the way. It then places that information into the appropriate forms and electronically delivers them directly to El Dorado County Department of Child Support Services so you don’t have to mail or bring your forms in. Forms are available in English and Spanish.

On-line Application for
Child Support Services

   
TurboCourt Español
le ayuda a llenar las formas necesarias para abrir un caso de manuntencion de ninos


TurboCourt charges a fee of $5.00 to prepare and electronically deliver your Application Packet.

What type of documentation or information will I need to open a case?

The single most important piece of information is the non-custodial parent’s social security number as it is the key to accessing locate sources. Other important information includes the non-custodial parent’s employment, home and work addresses, date of birth and any prior court order information. If you are not receiving CalWORKs, we will also need a copy of your pay stub. The more information you provide, the quicker we will be able to help you.

What does it mean to "cooperate" with the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)?

To “cooperate” means you must provide any information or documents needed to establish paternity and/or locate the other parent in order to get support payments for your child. If you are receiving CalWORKs and/or Medi-Cal and you do not cooperate with us, you must have “good cause” for not doing so. “Good cause” means you must have a legally acceptable reason for not cooperating with the DCSS, such as the probability of physical or emotional harm to you or your children if child support is pursued. If you feel you have “good cause” for not cooperating, you must advise your CalWORKs worker immediately to initiate the appropriate paperwork.

What does it mean to establish paternity and why is it important?

Paternity is a term meaning the legal father of the child. If fatherhood is in question, the court cannot order the non-custodial parent (putative father) to pay child support until paternity is legally established. Establishing paternity is important because it provides the child with the same legal rights as a child born within a marriage. Some of those rights include: financial support from both parents, access to important family medical records, access to social security and veterans’ benefits and the emotional benefit of knowing who both parents are. Click here for additional paternity information.

Is there an age limit for paternity tests to be done on a child?

No. Genetic testing can be performed at any age. These tests are performed by gently collecting a sample by swabbing inside the cheek area of the mouth. There is no cost to the parties for this testing.

What happens after paternity is established?

Once paternity is established, the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) will establish a support order in most cases. After the support order is established, DCSS will use all available resources to enforce the obligation(s).

If the Department of Child Support Services cannot find the non-custodial parent, can I still get CalWORKs or Medi-Cal benefits?

Yes. If you are eligible and if you cooperate, you can receive CalWORKs or Medi-Cal benefits while the local child support agency tries to find the non-custodial parent.

I have a California support order. The non-custodial parent now lives in another state. I know she/he has land and other assets in California. Can the Department of Child Support Services help me collect on the past-due amount?

Yes. The fact that the noncustodial parent now lives somewhere else does not prevent the Department of Child Support Services from reaching his/her assets in California.

The non-custodial parent is in jail. Can I still receive support?

Unless the parent in jail has other assets, like property or income from an outside source or from a work-release program, child support will be nearly impossible to collect. A non-custodial parent who goes to jail should contact the Department of Child Support Services to modify the child support order. Otherwise, child support will continue and the non-custodial parent will be responsible for paying past-due support when released.

Can the other parent be required to provide health insurance for our children?

A provision for health insurance must be included in every child support order. If insurance is not immediately available, it must be ordered to be provided when it becomes available.

Will my child support case be open to the public?

No. Child support case information is confidential and not open to the public. However, documents in court files or county recorder files may be public record.

How do I get my child support order modified?

Either party may request a review of the child support order for modification by contacting the department and requesting the required documents. Once the documents are completed, and all required information is obtained, the department will review the child support order for modification. There is certain criteria which must be met in order for the department to agree to modify support. Either party maintains the option of filing their own motion with the court.

How can I close my case?

Only the person who initially opened the case is able to close the case. If you are the person who opened the case, you must provide a written request to close your case. If there are arrears owing for the period of time the child(ren) received public assistance, the Department of Child Support Services may keep the case open in most instances in order to continue to collect on the arrears owed to the state.

Where do I send payments?

You can send payments by mail to:

State Disbursement Unit (SDU) 
P.O. Box 989067
West Sacramento, CA 95798

You can also drop off checks (no cash please) after hours at our Placerville office using the night drop box. Please be sure to include your case number on your check to assure the proper account is credited. You may also make payments in person at either the Placerville or the South Lake Tahoe office. However, if you mail a payment to our local office there will be a significant delay in crediting that payment to your account. Please make sure you use the SDU address above for payments made by mail.

Adittional FAQs