Child Support Payment Collection

In April 2020 the California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) changed how electronic payments are processed. The web site where DCSS accepts electronic payments transitioned its bank account payment (ACH) service to a national web-based pay site for child support payments called ExpertPaySM. Payments processed through ExpertPaySM are then sent to the California State Disbursement Unit (SDU) for disbursal. 

All payments for IV-D cases must be processed through the SDU. Payments must have identifying information to insure proper credit:

  • Case numbers
  • Social Security Number(s)
  • Payor/Payee Name
  • Participant Identification Number(s)
  • “Child Support” should be indicated in the Memo section of any check/money order

The SDU will post the payment according to the date it is received.

What is the process?

Payment of Child Support

There are several options available:

  • Pay Online: Electronic payments can be made online with a computer or mobile device using your Visa card*, MasterCard*, checking account or savings account. Visit Customer Connect to Make a Payment 
  • Pay by Phone: Call 1-866-901-3212 (option 1). Electronic payments can be made using your Visa card*, MasterCard*, checking account or savings account.
  • Pay by Mail: If your case is managed by a Local Child Support Agency, you can mail a check or money order to: CA SDU, PO BOX 989067, West Sacramento, CA 95798-9067. If your case is a private case that is not managed by a Local Child Support Agency, call 1-866-901-3212 for assistance with making payments by mail.
  • Pay in Cash:
    • Use MoneyGram at 18 retail stores. Find a location at www.MoneyGram.com/mgo/us/en/Locations or call 1-800-926-9400. To make a payment, you will need your California child support Participant ID number and Receive Code 14630. MoneyGram charges a fee.
      Notice: It may take three or four days for your payment to be posted to your child support account.
    • Use PayNearMe at 7-Eleven, Family Dollar and ACE Cash Express stores. Get a personal PayNearMe barcode on PayNearMe’s California child support page at www.PayNearMe.com/California or by contacting your Local Child Support Office at 1-866-901-3212. Present the barcode – either on a smart phone or on paper – to a cashier to be scanned at the counter. Reuse the barcode for future payments or get a new one, as needed. Find a PayNearMe location near you (click on "I cannot find my biller" to see all payment locations). PayNearMe charges a convenience fee and guarantees payments.
      Notice: It may take three or four days for your payment to be posted to your child support account.
  • Pay at a local child support office:
  • Ask Questions: If you have questions about any of the payment options, please contact a child support professional by email from within Customer Connect or by phone at 1-866-901-3212.

*1.9% service fee applied to online or phone credit and debit card payments. Fees are paid to card processor and are not kept by Child Support Services. 

**2.2% service fee applied to kiosk credit and debit card payments. Fees are paid to card processor and are not kept by Child Support Services. 

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Monday - Friday 8-5


1200 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (866) 901-3212

Fax: (805) 781-5156

FAQS

Yes. As a registered participant, you can:

  • Schedule future dated payments
  • Schedule recurring payments
  • Store bank account or credit/debit card information
Yes, you may use a credit/debit card where the card-issuing bank is outside the United States. Review your cardholder agreement to determine fees that you may incur from your bank.

Yes, call 1-866-901-3212, select Option 1 and follow the prompts. You will need your Social Security number and 13- or 15-digit participant ID number.

Your payment history is available through Customer Connect online at childsupport.ca.gov/customer-connect/ or by phone at 1-866-901-3212.

There are three (3) options to make a replacement payment:

  • Option 1: Call a State representative at 1-888-851-6317 (7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday) to get identifying information and send the replacement payment to:

    SDU NSF
    PO Box 980220
    West Sacramento, CA 95798-0220

    Note on the check that this is a replacement payment for “collection ID#” or include the collection notice you received.
     
  • Option 2: You can register on the website at childsupport.ca.gov/state-disbursement-unit/, then make payments using your checking or savings account, or a Visa or MasterCard branded debit* or credit card*. You will need the 16-digit Collection ID (refer to the collection notice you received or contact 1-888-851-6317 to obtain).
  • Option 3: You can call the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) at 1-866-901-3212 (option 1). You can make payments using your checking or savings account, or a Visa or MasterCard branded debit* or credit card*. You will need the 16-digit Collection ID (refer to the collection notice you received or contact 1-888-851-6317 to obtain).

*1.9% service fee applied to online or phone credit and debit card payments. Fees are paid to card processor and are not kept by Child Support Services.

Register at childsupport.ca.gov/state-disbursement-unit/. You will need your Social Security number, your 13- or 15-digit participant ID number, and contact information. (If you do not know your Participant ID number, you can call 1-866-901-3212 to obtain it.)

  • Select the “Parent Paying Support” button
  • Select the “Register Now” option
  • Enter the required information, including a valid email address
  • A temporary password will be emailed to you
  • Log in with your temporary password
  • Follow the instructions to update your temporary password
  • You will only need to register once

After the Court decides the amount of child support, a document called Income Withholding for Support is mailed to your employer with instructions on how much to deduct and where to send the payments.

Child support payments, should be made payable to “California State Disbursement Unit,” and mailed to:

CA State Disbursement Unit (SDU)
PO Box 989067
West Sacramento, CA  95798-9067

This address is for your regular child support payments only. Please include the name and case identification number with payment.

No, your employer should have instructions on how and when to withhold child support payments and where to send them. Your employer should withhold the amount as ordered and send it to the SDU as instructed.

To use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR), you will need your 13- or 15-digit participant ID number or your Social Security number and your Customer Connect PIN.  If you do not have a PIN, you can request one by calling 1-866-901-3212.

  • Select your language – “1” for English, “9” for Spanish
  • When asked if you are a parent or guardian, say “Yes” or press “1”
  • Enter your Social Security number or Participant ID number
  • When asked for your PIN, say “I don’t know it”
  • When asked if you want to reset your PIN, say “Yes”
  • When asked where you would like your PIN sent, say “email” or “mailing address”
  • When asked, enter your Participant ID number

Note: Both a Social Security number and Participant ID number and a valid mailing/email address must be on file with DCSS for the delivery method you select. For assistance, say “Agent” at any time during the call. For more information about Customer Connect, watch our Customer Connect Video.

To use the website, www.childsupport.ca.gov/customer-connect/, you will need your 13- or 15-digit participant ID number or your Social Security number and your Customer Connect PIN.  If you do not have a PIN, you will need to:

  • Select “Log In”
  • Select “I need a PIN” 
  • Enter your first and last name and Social Security number or Participant ID number
  • Select how you want to receive your temporary PIN (email or standard mail)

Note: You must have a valid mailing/email address on file with the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) for the delivery method you select. For more information about Customer Connect, watch our Customer Connect Video

Allocation may impact cases when the peron paying support (PPS) has more than one case. The impact of allocation on a case depends on many factors. For more details on how allocation impacts you, contact your LCSA or call Customer Connect at 1-866-901-3212.

Call 1-866-851-6317 and talk with a State representative who will provide further instructions. Their business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday. Be sure to have all pertinent payment information, such as check number, amount, and date of payment available at the time of the call.

Call 1-886-851-6317 and talk with a State representative who will provide further instructions on how to replace the returned item. Their business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday. Be sure to have all pertinent payment information, such as check information, participant or collection ID number available at the time of the call.