California Department of Child Support Services

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Noncustodial Parent FAQs

What are my payment options?
- There are several options available:
  - You can register on the website at www.casdu.com, then make payments using your checking or savings account, or a Visa or MasterCard branded debit or credit card
  - You can call 1-866-901-3212 (option 1) and register on the automated phone system (also known as the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system), then make payments using your checking or savings account, or a Visa or MasterCard branded debit or credit card
  - Without registering you can make a single payment online or using the IVR
  - You can mail a check or money order to the California State Disbursement Unit (SDU) if your case is managed by an LCSA
How do I register on the website (www.casdu.com)?
- Register at www.casdu.com. 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 “Non-Custodial Parent” 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
How do I make a payment on the website?
- There are two options for making a payment on the website:
  Option 1 – Make payments as a registered user:
  - Log in
  - Select the “Make a Payment” option
  - Follow the instructions on the website to make a payment using either your bank account information or credit or debit card
  Option 2 – Make a single payment without registering:
  - Select the “Non-Custodial Parent” button
  - Select the “Pay Without Registering” option
  - Enter the requested information on the website to make a payment using either your bank account information or credit or debit card. You will need your Social Security number and 13 or 15 digit participant ID number
  If you have further questions, call 1-866-901-3212, select Option 1 to get to the SDU.
Can I make a payment by phone using the IVR?
- 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.
Will I be charged a fee to make a payment using my debit or credit card?
- No.
Are there advantages to registering on the website?
- Yes. As a registered participant, you can:
  - schedule future dated payments
  - schedule recurring payments
  - store bank account or credit/debit card information
How can I get my payment history?
- Your payment history is available through Customer Connect online at www.childsup-connect.ca.gov or by phone at 1-866-901-3212.
What do I need to use the Customer Connect website?
- To use the website, www.childsup-connect.ca.gov, 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, read PUB 255: Welcome to Customer Connect.
What do I need to use the Customer Connect automated phone system (Interactive Voice Response (IVR))?
- To use the 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, “2” 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, read PUB 255: Welcome to Customer Connect.
Who do I contact if I have questions about using the website or automated phone system?
- Call 1-866-901-3212, select Option 1 for any questions regarding the SDU website or the automated phone system (IVR).
If I can’t pay electronically, where do I send my child support 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.
My employer withholds support from my paycheck. Do I need to do anything?
- 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.
How will my employer know how much money to take out of my paycheck to pay my child support?
- 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.
What is allocation and how does it affect me?
- Allocation may impact cases when the parent paying support 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.
What should I do if my payment is dishonored or returned by the bank?
- Call 1-888-851-6317 and talk with a State representative who will provide further instructions on how to replace the returned item. Their business hours are 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM 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.
What should I do if I need to place a stop payment request with my bank?
- Call 1-888-851-6317 and talk with a State representative who will provide further instructions. Their business hours are 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM 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.
How do I make a replacement payment?
- There are three options to make a replacement payment:
  - Option 1: Call a State representative at 1-888-851-6317 (7:30AM to 5:00 PM 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 www.casdu.com, 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).
Who can I talk to about my bank levy?
- Your local child support agency (LCSA) can answer your questions. Call 1-866-901-3212.
I am the parent paying support, but my child lives with me now. Can the child support order be changed?
- Yes. When there is a change in visitation or custody of the child, you can either go to court to ask for a change in the child support order, or you may contact the LCSA to ask the court to modify the court order. You may be able to reduce the child support you pay or begin receiving child support from the other parent.
How long do I have to pay child support?
- Child support generally continues until the minor child emancipates or until otherwise noted in the child support order. Under California law, a parent’s obligation to pay support continues until the child becomes 18 years old. However, the current support obligation may continue until the child is 19, if the child is unmarried and attending high school full time. Also a court may order current child support to continue after the child emancipates because of special circumstances.
  
  If there are arrears (past due support) owed on the child support case, the LCSA may continue to enforce collection of the arrears until the case is paid in full, including any accrued interest.
  For more information read: PUB 247: Information for the Noncustodial Parent.
Why is the Employment Development Department (EDD) deducting money from my unemployment or state disability benefit payment?
- An LCSA can request that a percentage of your benefit payment be withheld to satisfy a child support arrearage or delinquent current child support that is greater than $150.
What is the Child Support Warning Notice (CSWN)?
- The CSWN is a notice that the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) sends annually to all parents ordered to pay support who have an arrears balance. The CSWN provides information regarding the arrears balance and some of the various avenues that are available to assist in collecting the child support arrears. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact your LCSA at 1-866-901-3212.
My passport has a hold on it. How can I get a release?
- Federal law requires that a parent paying support who has past-due (arrears) child support in excess of $2,500 shall not be issued a passport. In California, you must bring your arrears balance to zero ($0.00) by paying it in full or having the case closed in order to get your passport released. Contact your local child support agency (LCSA) to make arrangements to bring your arrears to zero ($0.00) or if you have additional questions regarding the release of your passport.
My driver's license has been suspended due to child support. How can I get a release?
- To get a release of your driver's license, you must contact the local child support agency (LCSA) handling your child support case. They can assist you in making arrangements to obtain a release.

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