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Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)

Human Services

Department of Child Support Services (DCSS)

San Mateo County

Handles problems and questions about the collection of child support from a non-custodial parent.

Description:

Assists parents with issues and questions relating to the establishment of child support. The department establishes paternity, medical support orders, child support orders, and oversees the enforcement of these orders. Persons who have a child support and/or medical support order, or want to establish one, can apply for services. Parents who receive public assistance, including Medi-Cal, will automatically be referred to the San Mateo County Department of Child Support Services (SMC/DCSS) by the County of San Mateo Human Services Agency. If paternity (fatherhood) has not yet been established, the SMC/DCSS will take the necessary steps to establish paternity. (Paternity must be established before child and medical support can be ordered by the court.) If a court order for child support does not already exist, and the noncustodial parent is located, one will be sought by the SMC/DCSS and established by the court based on both parents' ability to pay support, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and the financial needs of the child. The SMC/DCSS will also request that the court require the noncustodial parent to provide health insurance if it is available at a reasonable cost. The SMC/DCSS will take steps to enforce court orders for child support and medical support. Enforcement action will be taken by the SMC/DCSS if the noncustodial parent does not pay or pays less than the amount ordered, or if the noncustodial parent does not provide health insurance for the child as ordered by the court. The SMC/DCSS will determine what type of enforcement actions is to be taken, consistent with state and federal regulations. Support payments are accepted online at the Web site: www.casdu.com. If paying by check or money order, mail payment to CA SDU, P.O. Box 989067, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9067.

Location

Public Transit:

SAMTRANS stops within 2 blocks, CALTRAIN stops within 3 blocks.
555 County Center, 2nd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063 37.488998 -122.2298912 Human Services

Service Options

Languages Spoken:

  • Armenian
  • Cantonese
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Mandarin
  • Punjabi
  • Serbo-Croatian
  • Spanish
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese

Accessibility Options:

  • Disabled Parking
  • Disabled Restroom
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair

Services

San Mateo County

Service Description:

Assists parents with issues and questions relating to the establishment of child support. The department establishes paternity, medical support orders, child support orders, and oversees the enforcement of these orders. Persons who have a child support and/or medical support order, or want to establish one, can apply for services. Parents who receive public assistance, including Medi-Cal, will automatically be referred to the San Mateo County Department of Child Support Services (SMC/DCSS) by the County of San Mateo Human Services Agency. If paternity (fatherhood) has not yet been established, the SMC/DCSS will take the necessary steps to establish paternity. (Paternity must be established before child and medical support can be ordered by the court.) If a court order for child support does not already exist, and the noncustodial parent is located, one will be sought by the SMC/DCSS and established by the court based on both parents' ability to pay support, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and the financial needs of the child. The SMC/DCSS will also request that the court require the noncustodial parent to provide health insurance if it is available at a reasonable cost. The SMC/DCSS will take steps to enforce court orders for child support and medical support. Enforcement action will be taken by the SMC/DCSS if the noncustodial parent does not pay or pays less than the amount ordered, or if the noncustodial parent does not provide health insurance for the child as ordered by the court. The SMC/DCSS will determine what type of enforcement actions is to be taken, consistent with state and federal regulations. Support payments are accepted online at the Web site: www.casdu.com. If paying by check or money order, mail payment to CA SDU, P.O. Box 989067, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9067.

Fees:

Clients receiving public assistance: none. As of October 1, 2011, non-assistance clients are assessed a fee of $25 on a yearly basis when a total of $500 has been disbursed to the custodial party. Payments can be paid online at www.casdu.com. Cash payments accepted in lobby until 5:20 pm. Credit card payments may be made using the kiosk located outside the lobby. Check or money order payments should be sent to CA SDU, P.O. Box 989067, West Sacramento, CA, 95798-9067.

Audience:

Single parent households and intact couples with children born outside of marriage

Eligibility:

Custodian of a child who is a resident of San Mateo County or non-custodial parent whose child resides in San Mateo County

How to Apply:

Complete the electronic application online at www.smcdcss.com or request an application by phone or mail.

Service Wait Estimate:

Lobby Hours: No appointment is needed. You will meet with a caseworker within 20 minutes of your arrival to the office. By Phone: Child Support Customer Service Representatives are available to answer your questions.

Service Areas:

  • San Mateo County