Why parents should apply for services through the New Jersey Child Support Program

As a parent about to go through the process of obtaining financial support for your child, you will have to make many decisions, including how to best receive child support.

There are several options for obtaining child support:

  • Direct Pay
  • New Jersey Child Support Program
  • Attorneys
  • Private Collection Agencies

The New Jersey Child Support Program is mandated under federal law to assist parents in obtaining the financial support necessary for their children to prosper in a stable setting. Both parents have a responsibility to support their children financially and emotionally, and it is important for parents to know the choices available to them in the collection of child support. The New Jersey Child Support Program only charges a one-time application fee of $6.00. The program has access to a variety of information sources, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), financial institutions, motor vehicle agencies and employers, to assist in the location of parents and enforcement of child support orders.

The New Jersey Child Support Program works with community groups, agencies, schools, correctional facilities and hospitals, and provides a wide variety of services to assist parents in meeting their responsibilities to support their children.

To apply for these services, contact your local county office. You can obtain an application at your county Board of Social Services or your Family Court. Information and applications are also available by calling 1-877NJKIDS1.

You can also download or print the Child Support Application form from this site.

Once completed please bring it in to your local Family Division.

The following chart shows the advantages of using the New Jersey Child Support Program.

SERVICE NJ CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM PRIVATE COLLECTION AGENCIES ATTORNEY DIRECT PAY
FEES One-time $6.00 fee 1.Usually a percentage of monies collected

2.Possible application fees		 Standard attorney fees per action or hourly Standard attorney fees per action or hourly N/A
LOCATES THE NON-CUSTODIAL PAREN Locates missing non-custodial parents using a multitude of government and commercial databases 1.No access to government databases

2.May have access to private/ commercial databases		 1.No access to government databases

2.May have access to private/ commercial databases		 N/A
ESTABLISH ORDER FOR SUPPORT, INCLUDING MEDICAL SUPPORT Assistance in processing paper work necessary to secure an order for support Generally not available Charges a fee to bring court action N/A prior to orde
COLLECTS, MONITORS AND DISTRIBUTES CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS 1.Payments received are processed within 48 hours

2.Provides direct deposit		 Often retains a percentage of any monies collected based on contrac Generally not available N/A

No services
MODIFICATION OF ORDER 1.Every three years, you are notified or you may request a review for possible changes

2.Orders may be eligible for an automatic cost-of- living increase every two years		 No service Charges a fee to bring court action N/A
ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDER Enforcement Options

1.Income withholding

2.Credit reporting

3.Tax refund offset

4.Seizure of assets

5.License suspension

6.Passport denial

7.Civil awards/ settlements

8.Court enforcement

9.Bench Warrants

10.Judgement		 1.No authority to use most government actions

2.Generally use methods of debt collection agencies		 Litigation N/A

No services