When parents separate or divorce, ensuring children receive proper financial support becomes essential. The New Jersey Child Support Program exists to help families navigate this process, providing comprehensive services that go far beyond simply collecting payments. Whether you're establishing a new child support case or managing an existing order, understanding available resources makes the journey smoother.
Child support is more than just money. It represents both parents' commitment to their children's well-being, covering emotional, financial, and medical needs. The New Jersey child support system helps families access the support and services they need during challenging transitions.
What Is the New Jersey Child Support Program?
The New Jersey Child Support Program is a state-supervised, county-administered system designed to ensure children receive financial support from both parents. Operating under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, the program provides essential services to families regardless of whether they receive public assistance.
Core Services Provided
The program assists with establishing paternity, locating parents, setting up child support orders, collecting and distributing payments, providing health insurance coverage, and enforcing support obligations when payments stop. These comprehensive services ensure children receive the resources they deserve.
Who Can Apply
Any parent or caretaker can apply for child support services through the New Jersey Child Support Program. This includes families currently receiving or formerly receiving assistance under TANF, Foster Care, and Medicaid programs, as well as families who have never received public assistance.
Program Administration
County welfare agencies handle the day-to-day administration of child support services, working closely with the Administrative Office of the Courts, County Sheriff Departments, and the Department of Labor to provide comprehensive support.
Establishing Paternity and Child Support Orders
Before the New Jersey Child Support Program can help with support enforcement, legal parentage must be established and a court order must be in place.
Establishing Paternity
For unmarried parents, establishing paternity is often the first step in creating a child support order. Parents who agree about paternity can sign a Certificate of Parentage, which serves as a legal document recognizing the parent-child relationship. When paternity is disputed, the court may order genetic testing to determine biological parentage.
Creating Support Orders
Court orders determining child support can come from divorce proceedings, child custody cases, or applications filed directly with the Child Support Division of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The court order establishes the support obligation, payment schedule, and other important terms.
Application Process
To apply for full child support services, parents complete a Child Support Services Application and submit it to their local county court. There is a $6 fee for full services, which includes child support enforcement. Parents can also request partial services for specific needs like locating the other parent or establishing health insurance coverage.
Child Support Enforcement Services
One of the most critical functions of the New Jersey Child Support Program is enforcing existing support orders when parents fail to make required payments.
Income Withholding
Federal and state law requires employers to withhold child support directly from the paying parent's wages when ordered by the court. This automatic deduction ensures consistent, timely payments and reduces the burden on custodial parents to collect support themselves.
Payment Processing
All child support payments flow through the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center, which processes payments and distributes them to custodial parents. This centralized system maintains accurate records of all transactions and provides accountability for both parents.
When Payments Stop
If a parent stops making child support payments, the child support enforcement unit can take several actions including intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver's licenses and professional licenses, reporting to credit bureaus, seizing assets, and pursuing contempt of court proceedings that can result in arrest warrants.
Accessing Your Child Support Case Information
The New Jersey Child Support Program provides multiple ways for parents to access information about their child support case, check payment history, and manage their account.
24/7 Automated Phone System
Parents can call 1-877-NJKIDS1 (1-877-655-4371) to access the automated phone system available around the clock. The system provides information about payments, case balance, court dates and results, debit card information, and payment options. For enhanced convenience, parents can enroll in voice recognition, eliminating the need to enter Member ID and PIN for future calls.
Online Case Information
Parents can visit NJChildSupport.gov to view case updates, payment history, and other important information. The online portal requires a Member ID and PIN, which parents receive when their case is established. Note that the online system is not compatible with Internet Explorer browsers.
Customer Service Support
The New Jersey Family Support Services Center provides customer service during business hours. Parents can file complaints, ask questions, or request assistance with their child support case by phone, online, or by mail.
Medical Support and Health Insurance
Child support in New Jersey extends beyond monetary payments to include medical support that ensures children have access to healthcare.
Health Insurance Coverage
Courts can order either parent to provide health insurance coverage for children when it's available through employment at reasonable cost. The child support order specifies which parent is responsible for maintaining coverage and how premium costs are shared between parents.
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
Beyond basic health insurance premiums, parents share responsibility for unreimbursed medical expenses. The first $250 per child per year in out-of-pocket costs is included in the basic child support amount. Expenses exceeding this threshold are typically shared proportionally based on each parent's income.
Medical Support Enforcement
When a parent ordered to provide health insurance fails to do so, the New Jersey Child Support Program can enforce this obligation just as it enforces monetary support payments.
Payment Options and Distribution Methods
The New Jersey Child Support Program offers multiple convenient payment methods to ensure parents can make timely payments and custodial parents can access funds quickly.
Income Withholding
The most common payment method involves automatic withholding from the paying parent's wages. Employers send withheld amounts directly to the State Disbursement Payment Center, which then distributes payments to custodial parents.
Direct Payment Methods
Parents can also make payments by credit card, through online platforms, or in person at certain retail locations. All payments should be sent to the State Disbursement Payment Center to ensure proper crediting.
Receiving Payments
Custodial parents can receive child support payments through direct deposit to their bank account, which provides the fastest access to funds. Parents who don't choose direct deposit receive payments on a stored value card administered by Way2Go.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Life circumstances change, and the New Jersey Child Support Program recognizes that support orders may need adjustment when significant changes occur.
When to Request Modification
Parents can request modification when there's been a substantial change in circumstances, such as significant income changes, job loss, changes in the child's needs, modifications to parenting time arrangements, or changes in health insurance or childcare costs.
Automatic Reviews
Every three years, parents may request that the County Board of Social Services Agency review their current child support order. This review doesn't require showing changed circumstances. If the review finds that current financial circumstances justify a 20% change from the existing award, the agency will recommend modification.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments
All New Jersey child support orders must be adjusted every two years to reflect changes in the cost of living based on the Consumer Price Index for metropolitan areas in New Jersey.
Termination and Continuation of Support
Understanding when child support obligations end and when they can continue beyond standard termination dates helps parents plan for the future.
Standard Termination
Under New Jersey law, current child support orders end without a hearing when the child reaches 19 years of age, dies, marries, or enters military service. Parents must provide documentation of these termination events to the Probation Child Support Enforcement unit.
Continuation Beyond Age 19
Support may continue past age 19 if the child is under 23 and enrolled full-time in high school, college, vocational school, or graduate school; cannot support themselves due to physical or mental disability that existed before age 19; or other exceptional circumstances exist that the court approves.
Support Beyond Age 23
Effective December 1, 2020, the law allows continuation of support beyond age 23 if the child has severe mental or physical incapacity causing financial dependence on a parent. Either party may file a motion with the court for continuation beyond the 23rd birthday.
Outstanding Arrears
Even after a support obligation terminates, any back child support owed must still be paid. The Child Support Enforcement Unit continues to monitor and enforce collection of arrears.
Interstate and International Cases
The New Jersey Child Support Program handles cases involving parents who live in different states or countries through specialized procedures.
Intergovernmental Central Registry
This unit within the Office of Probation Services manages child support cases involving other states, countries, and tribes. The registry receives, distributes, and responds to inquiries on interstate and international cases.
Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)
Under federal law, all states follow uniform procedures for processing child support cases involving multiple states. These procedures ensure consistency and cooperation between state child support agencies.
Hague Convention
The United States participates in the Hague Convention on International Recovery of Child Support, which establishes uniform procedures for processing child support cases internationally with participating countries.
Resources and Additional Support
The New Jersey Child Support Program provides numerous resources to help parents understand their rights and responsibilities.
Resource | Purpose | Access Method |
Automated Phone System | 24/7 case information | Call 1-877-NJKIDS1 |
Online Portal | View case details and payments | NJChildSupport.gov |
Direct Deposit Program | Fast payment receipt | Download the form from the website |
Support Calculator | Estimate support amounts | Available on the state website |
Customer Service Offices | In-person assistance | Contact the local probation office |
The program offers several helpful guides, including "Your Guide to the New Jersey Judiciary Child Support Enforcement Program," which defines common terms and explains enforcement procedures, and "A Lawyer's Guide to Child Support Services in New Jersey" for attorneys representing clients in child support cases.
Parents can download necessary forms from NJChildSupport.gov, including applications for services, modification requests, continuation of support forms, and direct deposit enrollment forms.
Getting Help With Your Child Support Case
Navigating the child support system can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. The New Jersey Child Support Program provides comprehensive support at every stage.
When to Seek Assistance
Contact the program if you need help locating the other parent, establishing paternity, setting up a new support order, enforcing an existing order, modifying support amounts, or addressing payment issues.
Confidentiality Protections
State and federal regulations protect the confidentiality of child support information. Personal and case-related information, including Social Security numbers, addresses, and income details, cannot be disclosed to third parties except as authorized by law or court order.
Customer Service Commitment
The New Jersey Child Support Program aims to resolve all matters quickly and efficiently. While response times vary by case complexity, the program notifies parents in writing about investigation outcomes and case resolutions.
Whether you're just beginning the child support process or managing a long-standing case, the New Jersey Child Support Program offers the services, resources, and support you need to ensure your children receive the financial support they deserve. For assistance with your specific situation, call 1-877-NJKIDS1 or visit NJChildSupport.gov to learn more about available services.