Receiving Child Support Payments

We want receiving a support payment to be as convenient as possible. As a parent receiving support, you have two options:

1. Direct deposit into a checking or savings account
2. Electronic deposits made to a U.S. Bank ReliaCard® Visa prepaid debit card

To receive payments via direct deposit, you must have a U.S. domestic bank account. No bank account is necessary to receive funds on a ReliaCard® Visa prepaid debit card. To learn more about the debit card, see U.S. Bank ReliaCard® FAQs » or U.S. Bank ReliaCard® FAQs – Spanish.

Setting Up or Changing Child Support Payments

To begin receiving child support payments or to change how you currently receive support payments, complete one of the forms below. If you don’t let us know how you want to receive your child support payments, we will enroll you in the ReliaCard® option:

1. Direct Deposit Enrollment/Authorization Form (PDF) » | En Español (PDF) »
2. ReliaCard® Disclosure and Enrollment/Authorization Form:

I have read and accept the U.S. Bank ReliaCard® Fee Schedule and Pre-Acquisition Disclosure »

ReliaCard Enrollment/Authorization Form (PDF) » | En Español (PDF) »

Once completed, please return to the following address, fax it to the number below, or upload it through your online account:

ATTN: Electronic Payments
Oregon Child Support Program
PO Box 14320
Salem, OR 97309-5048
Fax: 503-986-2416

Direct Deposit and Electronic Payment FAQs

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Can I upload my Enrollment Authorization form to my online account?

Yes, be sure to include all required information or documentation.

Are all payments of child support sent electronically?

All child support payments to parents receiving support are intended to be paid electronically. Child support disbursements are made either by direct deposit to a bank account or onto a ReliaCard—unless an exception has been granted. The first payment may be sent by check.

What are the benefits of direct deposit?

• No need to go to a bank
• Eliminates the possibility of lost or stolen checks
• Payments are still deposited even if you’re away and your mail is held
• Funds may be available sooner than paper checks

How do I request direct deposit?

The Enrollment/Authorization Form (CSF 080700A) » is available both online or by mail, if necessary. To request an Enrollment Authorization Form by mail, call 800-850-0228.

Do I need to include anything else with my application?

If depositing to a checking account, attach a preprinted VOIDED check or other bank documentation. Or your financial institution representative may sign or stamp your completed authorization or provide you with a bank authorization letter.

Can I fax my enrollment/authorization form?

Yes, our fax number is 503-986-2416. Be sure to include all the information or documentation required.  

When will my direct deposit go into effect?

Once your authorization form has been received and processed, a three-business day “prenote” process occurs. This allows the Oregon State Treasury time to verify that the account provided will accept direct deposit.

Once the prenote process is complete, an activation letter will be mailed to you indicating “active” status and the account number(s) where the funds will be deposited. Please review this information for accuracy.

 

 

 

 

What happens if money is received on my case during the three-day prenote period?

Any money received on your case during the "prenote" process will be mailed to you as a paper check.

A payment shows on your system but is not in my account. What should I do?

Payments may take 2-3 business days to post to your bank account after the payment is visible on your child support online account. If it is not posted to your direct deposit account after this time, contact your financial institution to confirm, then contact us at 800-850-0228.

When the deposit is made to my account, will I be notified by mail?

No. To verify deposited funds, you should contact your financial institution. You may also check your Oregon Child Support Program online account payment history to see your accounting records or call 800-850-0228 to verify the date of deposit.

 

What happens if I close my bank account?

You will need to open another savings or checking account and enroll in direct deposit or enroll in the ReliaCard program. If you do not enroll in either program, you will automatically be enrolled in the ReliaCard program.

What happens if I close my bank account without notifying the Oregon Child Support Program?

If your payment is sent to a closed account (and you don’t owe money to the bank), the bank will return the payment to us, and it will be reissued by paper check. This may take up to two weeks. If you owe money to the bank, they will not return the payment.

 

 

 

What happens if I cancel my direct deposit?

We will cancel it so payments will not be deposited to your account. A ReliaCard may be automatically set up for you within the next 30 days.

What if I have additional questions about direct deposit and electronic payments?

You may review the ReliaCard FAQs, submit a message through your Oregon Child Support Program online account, or contact your case manager or Customer Service at 800-850-0228 or ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov.

 

 

Can I get an exception to receiving my payments electronically?

Maybe. We will consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis to decide if an exception to disbursing payments electronically is available to you.

How do I make a request for an exception to receiving my payments electronically?

You must make a request for an exception by submitting a Request for Exception to Electronic Disbursement Enrollment form, linked below. We will review the request and notify you of our decision within 30 days of receiving your request.

• Request for Exception to Electronic Disbursement Enrollment (PDF)
• Solicitud de Excepción para la Inscripción Electrónica de Desembolsos (PDF)

What criteria does the Oregon Child Support Program use when making its decision about exceptions to sending payments electronically?

We review the situation to evaluate whether sending payments by paper check is in the best interest of the children.

Where do I find answers to my questions about exceptions and receiving checks?

Contact your case manager or Customer Service at 800-850-0228 or ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov.

If I normally pay support, will any refunds due to me come in a paper check?

Yes, funds returned to parents who pay support or to employers will be disbursed as a paper check.

General FAQs about Receiving Child Support

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Who can receive child support services?

Child support services are available to both parents. Even if you or the other parent live in another state, you can apply for child support services in Oregon. Relatives or caretakers who have physical custody of a child are also entitled to child support services. Students, age 18 to 21 who are attending school may also be entitled to child support services.

Who provides child support services?

The Oregon Child Support Program is the state-run federal program that provides child support services to anyone who requests them, regardless of income.

The Oregon Child Support Program is administered by the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Child Support (sometimes referred to as DCS). In 17 counties, district attorney offices assist with managing some of the cases.

If your child receives or has received public assistance in Oregon, the DOJ Division of Child Support provides your child support services. Public assistance means Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) » or Medicaid (including the Oregon Health Plan). The DOJ Division of Child Support also provides services if your child is in the care or custody of the Oregon Department of Human Services » (foster care).

If your child has not received public assistance, your case may be managed by either the DOJ Division of Child Support or by a local district attorney office. Either way, your case is handled by the Oregon Child Support Program. You can check your online account to find out which office is managing your case, or contact Customer Service at 800-850-0228.

Who do I contact for child support services?

If you have questions about establishing paternity or establishing, modifying, or ensuring compliance with a support order, contact Customer Service at 800-850-0228 or ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov.

What is expected of me if I apply for child support or have an existing case?

If you are thinking of applying for public assistance, you may want to contact the Oregon Child Support Program first. We may be able to help you get child support and possibly avoid the need for public assistance.

If you receive public assistance, you are required to cooperate with the Oregon Child Support Program. Even if you have safety concerns, the program offers ways to provide services that protect you. However, if you can show that cooperating would be harmful to you or your child, you may be exempt from cooperation. Read more about services available for child abuse and domestic violence.

Whether or not you receive public assistance, your cooperation with the Oregon Child Support Program is necessary to successfully establish paternity or establish and collect child support.

Any information you have about the other parent is helpful in establishing and ensuring compliance with a child support order. Although it is not a requirement for enrollment, you should include as many pieces of the following information as you can on the application to help the case manager locate the parent and collect support:

• Full name and address (or last known location) of the other parent
• Parent’s Social Security number (can be found on things such as pay stubs, old tax forms, or health insurance forms)
• Parent’s date of birth (or approximate age)
• Current or last place the parent worked
• County and state in which a divorce occurred if applicable, and a copy of the order or county and state of any other support order
• Birth certificate and Social Security number of the child
• Information about the other parent’s assets (e.g., bank accounts, vehicles, real property)

How do I receive services?

If your child receives public assistance from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), your child support case should be referred automatically to the Oregon Child Support Program for services. This is also true if your child is in the custody of the Oregon Department of Human Services » (foster care).

If your child does not receive public assistance or your case was not automatically referred to us, you can enroll for services. You will need to complete an application. There is a one-time fee of $1 that will be deducted from the first money we collect. See How to Apply for Child Support Services for more information.

 

 

What services are not provided?

Legal Advice – The Oregon Child Support Program represents the state of Oregon, and we cannot offer legal advice. Any person involved in a case handled by the program may hire an attorney or licensed paralegal at their own expense. In contempt and criminal nonsupport cases, the court will appoint an attorney to represent the person charged if they cannot afford one. See Get Legal Help for more information.

Please tell us if you have an attorney representing you in a child support matter. We are required to work with your attorney unless they give us permission to talk with you directly.

Spousal Support – If you also have a child support order, spousal support can be included in income withholding orders and many compliance processes. If there is no child support order but the person receiving support receives public assistance in any form, we can put income withholding in place for the spousal support. The Oregon Child Support Program does not provide other compliance methods for spousal support.

Parenting Time and Legal Custody – The Oregon Child Support Program cannot advise you about parenting time or custody matters. These matters must be discussed with a private attorney or handled in court.

Other entities in Oregon offer family mediation services. See Parenting Time for more information.

Why doesn’t my case balance match the balance on my billing statement?

A payment might be processed between the time a billing statement is generated and the time it is received. Sometimes, the Oregon Child Support Program needs to make an adjustment to your child support case based on a timeframe before the billing statement. When this occurs, it may affect your current case balance. This may happen when we receive a federal or state tax refund offset (intercept) from the current or prior tax filing year—and the case balance must be adjusted. The negative adjustment will reflect the collection date of the tax offset.

We receive negative adjustments for both federal and state tax refund offsets throughout the calendar year. You can review your collection dates in your online account under My Payments. If you don’t have an online account, you can sign up here. Contact Customer Service at 800-850-0228 or ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov for assistance.

How do I contact my case manager?

You can reach your case manager through your online account or by contacting Customer Service at 800-850-0228 or ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov.

How do I update my address?

You can update your address:

• Through your online account
• By contacting Customer Service at 800-850-0228 or ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov
• By sending your new address to:

Oregon Child Support Program
PO Box 14680
Salem, OR 97309

How do I change the amount I receive or have to pay?

You may ask the Oregon Child Support Program to review the child support or medical support terms of your support order. We will begin the review only if:

• it has been at least 35 months since the date the support order was entered, reviewed, or last modified; or
• you can show proof there has been a substantial change of circumstances.
  • Change in custody, the needs of the children, number of children covered by the support order.
  • Significant change in a parent’s income or medical support.

For more information, see Modify an Existing Child Support Order.

Who can I contact about changing the current child support laws?

The Oregon Child Support Program itself does not have the authority to change state or federal laws.

Oregon State Legislature – Find Your Legislator »

You may also email your concern or suggestion to Constituent Services at ChildSupportConstituentServices@doj.oregon.gov.

Who can I contact regarding the website?

If you have suggestions for how we can improve the Oregon Department of Justice and Oregon Child Support Program website, please send your comments through our feedback form. We value your opinion and look forward to hearing from you.

What if I don’t find the answer to my general question?

If you were unable to find the information you need, contact us. If you think the answer to your question may be helpful to others, we invite you to send your comments through the feedback form. We work hard to make information more accessible to our customers and the public and look forward to hearing from you.

How do I get help to resolve a problem with my child support case?

The best way to take care of an issue is at the local child support office that handles your case and the case manager assigned to your case. If you still have a problem, contact a lead worker or manager at the office assigned to your case.

If you have already done this and your issue has not been resolved, contact Constituent Services by phone at 503-947-4337 or by email at ChildSupportConstituentServices@doj.oregon.gov.

What if I have a grievance?

Participants in child support cases are entitled to fair, professional, courteous, and accurate service from the Oregon Child Support Program.

If you have not received this level of service, please contact a supervisor for the office or team. If speaking to a supervisor does not resolve the issue, you may wish to file a grievance using the Child Support Grievance Form (PDF). The form contains instructions for filing the grievance, including the address where it should be sent. Your grievance will be screened and, if accepted, responded to within 90 days.

 

Do I have to make payments through the Oregon Department of Justice?

You are required to make payments through the Oregon Department of Justice if:

• Your child support order states payments must be made in this manner.
• One of the participants on your child support case enrolled for child support services.
• Your child is receiving a form of public assistance that is assigned to the state.
• Your child received a form of public assistance from the state in the past and there are child support arrears assigned to the state.

If child support is not assigned to the state, you may elect—or the court may authorize—payment to a checking or savings account or by electronic transfer to an account maintained by a licensed escrow agent. To elect another payment method, both you and the other parent must agree to close your case with the Oregon Child Support Program.

For more information, submit an inquiry through your online account or contact Customer Service at ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov or 800-850-0228.

Where can I mail a child support payment?

Mail checks or money orders payable to Oregon Child Support Program to:

Oregon Child Support Program
Oregon Department of Justice
PO Box 14506
Salem, Oregon 97309

Include the child support case numbers or the last four digits of the Social Security number.

Most parents pay support through income withholding. This means the employer withholds child support payments from the parent’s paycheck and sends them to the Oregon Child Support Program.

If granted an exception, the parent who pays support may choose an alternative method of payment, such as electronic payment withdrawal from their bank account, payment by check or money order, through MyPaymentPortal.com, or at one of our TouchPay kiosks.

For more information, see Pay Support.

Do I have any alternatives to income withholding?

All new or modified child support orders normally require income withholding. The court or the Oregon Child Support Program may provide an exception to income withholding when the electronic payment withdrawal (EPW) enrollment form is received with consent.

If you and the other parent agree to an alternate method of paying support, the following is required:

• You have paid all past-due support owed due to missed payments.
• You authorize payment of support from your bank account each month by completing an application for EPW.
• The other parent consents to payment by EPW or, if money is owed to the state, the state agrees to payment by EPW.
• You have not been disqualified from EPW within the last 12 months.

If your support order says you must pay only when your child is in state care, you must:

• Request an exception in writing.
• Have not been disqualified from EPW during the last 12 months.
• Have paid all past-due support on time and continue to make all your payments on time.

If you receive an exception to income withholding and then fall behind paying support, the income withholding will be reinstated and the EPW cancelled. This could happen if there are not enough funds in your bank account at the time of the EPW.

For more information about getting an exception, submit an inquiry through your online account or contact Customer Service at 800-850-0228 or ChildSupportCustomerService@doj.oregon.gov.

 

 

My income has been reduced because of a layoff. Can I request a modification due to a change of circumstances? (posted 5-11-2022)

Yes, you may request a modification when there is a substantial change in circumstance. See OAR 137-055-3420 and OAR 137-055-3430.

Received an email saying, “New document in your online account”?

The Oregon Child Support Program is now uploading some documents to your online account. If you have an online account, you can retrieve your documents by logging in and going to the Documents section. You can set up an online account, request a new PIN, or resend your password directly from the online account login page. See our Online Account User Guide for more information.