Services are available to anyone, regardless of income, who is the custodian of a child, who is a noncustodial parent, or who is owed arrears from a court order in which ongoing support has ended.
Families who receive public assistance through Work First and some Medicaid programs receive services at no charge and may automatically be referred from the Department of Social Services to the local Child Support Department when they apply for those services. Cooperation with efforts to pursue paternity and support is required as a condition of eligibility for some of the public assistance programs. When these cases are referred to the Child Support Department, the custodian will be contacted for an appointment with a Child Support intake specialist. If an appointment cannot be kept, the custodian may contact the Child Support Department to reschedule. Failure to maintain appointments or remain cooperative with Child Support may result in a noncompliance determination, which may affect benefits received from DSS.
Non-Public Assistance families are charged a non-refundable $25 application fee; payable in the form of cash or money order. The applicant may be eligible for a reduced fee of $10 if their income falls below poverty level guidelines. Screening for a reduced fee may be done at the applicant’s request. If the applicant is the custodian and already has an open case with Child Support, no fee will be charged to open an additional case. The applicant may call or come into the Child Support Department for an application. A
downloadable application and an online application can be found at www.ncchildsupport.ncdhhs.gov
The applicant can request to be seen that day, however, it is important to know that scheduled appointments are seen before walk-ins. Applications are taken Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
All applicants will need to provide the following with their application:
- A copy of Birth Certificates for all children
- The Affidavit of Parentage for all children signed by both parties
- A copy of Social Security cards for applicant and all children
- A copy of any child support, custody, and or domestic violence protection orders, separation agreement and/or divorce decrees. If your order was established in another state or country, your assistance obtaining certified copies and/or translations of the order may be required.
- Verification of income
- Proof of child care
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of other children in the home that services are not being applied for
- Information regarding the noncustodial parent including social security number, date of birth, address, employer, photos, etc.