In Georgia, Child Support Collects Over $650 Million in Child Support

State of Georgia, Feb 05, 2008

ATLANTA (GA) - Over the past year, the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) collected and distributed $650,855,820 in child support. OCSS is a primary financial resource for single parent families and serves nearly 400,000 parents. OCSS collects child support from non custodial parents and sends the money directly to custodial parents in an effort to help families remain self sufficient.

"The Office of Child Support Services ensures a basic standard of living for many children," says OCSS Director Keith Horton. "We are pleased with our collections over the previous year and we hope to do even better next year."

Custodial parents may apply to any OCSS office for help finding an absent parent, establishing paternity, getting a court order, collecting support and enforcing payment through legal remedies. Non-custodial parents may apply to ask OCSS to maintain an official record of their payments, and those with a support order through OCSS may apply for help with visitation. For non custodial parents who are willing, yet unable to pay their support regularly, OCSS provides parental assistance through the Fatherhood Program.  The Fatherhood Program, designed for both mothers and fathers, is used to help non-custodial parents who lack the economic capacity to make timely payments due to employment barriers such as lack of a high school diploma or GED, no driver's license or transportation, alcohol and substance abuse, criminal records, and mental health issues.

Custodial and non-custodial parents can apply for services, track payments and update their case information online through the Constituent Services Portal. The fee for services is $25 for any parent who does not receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.