Child Support Pennsylvania is a program of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. It provides financial assistance to parents and guardians to help them meet their children’s needs. The program helps families provide for their children by setting up and enforcing child support orders, collecting and distributing payments, and providing medical support services.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Pennsylvania resident.
  • Must have legal responsibility for a child.
  • Must have an income level that falls within the program’s guidelines.

Application Process

The Child Support Pennsylvania application process begins with an interview with a caseworker. During the interview, the caseworker will review your income and financial information to determine if you qualify for the program. If you qualify, you will be asked to complete an application form and provide supporting documentation such as pay stubs, bank statements, and proof of identity.

What services are included in the application?

Parents, guardians/custodians, or lawyers may submit requests for support services if they desire to:

  1. Get alimony pendente lite, spousal support, and/or child support (APL).
  2. Pay alimony, spousal support, and/or child support pendente lite (APL).
  3. Change an existing order for alimony pendente lite, spousal support, or child support (APL).
  4. Withdraw a complaint or recoup an overpayment.

Payment Options

Once the application process is complete, your caseworker will review your application and determine how much child support you are eligible to receive. Payments can be made via direct deposit, check, or money order.

How to Apply For Child Support in Pennsylvania

Child support is an important part of making sure a child is provided for financially. If you are a parent in the state of Pennsylvania and you would like to apply for child support, the following is a guide to help you understand the process.

Step 1: Gather the Required Documents and Forms

The first step in applying for child support in PA is to gather the required documents and forms. These include:

  • Proof of identity such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Proof of address such as a utility bill
  • CSE-41: Application for Child Support Services
  • Proof of income such as pay stubs or tax returns
  • Proof of the other parent’s identity such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Proof of the other parent’s address such as a utility bill
  • Proof of the other parent’s income such as pay stubs or tax returns

Step 2: Contact Your Local County Assistance Office

Once you have gathered the required documents and forms, the next step is to contact your local County Assistance Office. You can locate the contact information for your local office here.

Step 3: Complete the Application Process

Once you contact your local County Assistance Office, you will need to complete the application process. This includes filling out the CSE-41 form and providing any other required documents or information.

Additional Resources

You can download the form and send it to your county office.

DOWNLOAD FORM

Child Support Pennsylvania Application Form

You can also complete the Online Application.

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Apply For Child Support Pennsylvania PA Online

Step 4: Wait for a Response

After you complete the application process, you will need to wait for a response. The County Assistance Office will review your application and then make a determination as to whether or not you are eligible for child support services.

Step 5: Comply With Any Requested Actions

If you are approved for child support services, you will need to comply with any requested actions. This may include providing additional documentation, attending an appointment, or taking other steps.

Conclusion

Applying for child support services in Pennsylvania can be a complex process, but with the right information and preparation, you can make sure that you have all the necessary documents and information. Once you have gathered the required documents and forms, contact your local County Assistance Office, complete the application process, and comply with any requested actions. With this guide, you can understand the process and make sure you have everything you need to apply for child support in PA.