Child Support on Long Island: Enforcement, Payments & County Contacts
Long Island families handle child support through New York State Child Support Services, with day-to-day case administration carried out locally. In practical terms, the rules for how support is calculated, modified, collected, and enforced come from New York law, while help with payments, case records, and enforcement activity may involve each county’s Support Collection Unit (SCU), Family Court, Probation, and related offices.
Below you’ll find an overview of how child support is calculated in New York, how payments are made and tracked, when orders may be paid directly versus through SCU, how enforcement and modification work, and quick contacts for Nassau and Suffolk. Procedures, addresses, and office access can change, so it is always smart to check official sources before visiting or sending a payment.
How New York calculates child support (CSSA)
New York’s Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) applies statewide, including Nassau and Suffolk counties. Courts begin with combined parental income and apply a percentage based on the number of children: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and no less than 35% for five or more. Those percentages are applied up to a statutory combined-income cap that New York updates from time to time. Courts may also consider income above the cap, and they may deviate from the guideline amount when the standard result would be unjust or inappropriate under the facts of the case.
Mandatory add-ons. In addition to basic support, New York commonly requires the parents to share certain additional expenses in proportion to income, including child care needed for a parent’s work or school, unreimbursed medical and health expenses, and the child’s health insurance cost or cash medical support when appropriate. Courts may also address educational, extracurricular, or other child-related expenses depending on the case.
Age of support. In New York, child support generally continues until age 21 unless the child is legally emancipated earlier. State law also allows support in some cases for certain adult dependents with qualifying developmental disabilities up to age 26 by petition in Family Court or Supreme Court.
Paying and receiving child support
New York uses a centralized payment processing system for most child support cases. Payment options and remittance instructions can change, so use only the methods listed by the state.
- Mail: NYS Child Support Processing Center, PO Box 15363, Albany, NY 12212-5363. Include your New York case identifier and follow the current mailing instructions on the state child support website. Do not send cash.
- Online, phone, or approved retail payment options: Use the payment choices listed by New York State Child Support Services. Convenience fees and processing times vary by method.
- Track payments and balances: Create or sign in to your NY.gov child support account to review payment history, balances, and case information.
How custodial parents receive funds. Most recipients can choose direct deposit to a bank account or a New York child support debit card. Card vendors and account-management tools may change over time, so check the official state site for the current program details.
Annual service fee. Federal law requires an annual service fee in certain never-assistance cases once a threshold amount has been collected during the federal fiscal year. The exact assessment method can change, so review the current New York policy if the fee may apply to your case.
Direct pay vs. Support Collection Unit (SCU)
New York law allows courts to direct support payments either through SCU or directly between the parties, depending on the case. In general, SCU processing is required when public assistance is involved or when child support services are being used; in other matters, the court may allow direct pay. Even if payments are made directly, parties may still have filing and record-keeping obligations.
Suffolk note: Suffolk Family Court information has historically directed parties who want a direct-pay order, rather than SCU processing, to contact Probation intake. Because court intake procedures can change, confirm the current process before appearing.
Enforcement tools if payments fall behind
When support is not paid, New York may use administrative and court-based remedies that can include income withholding, tax refund and lottery intercepts, liens, bank restraints, driver or professional license suspension, passport denial, and violation or contempt proceedings in court. Some remedies require notice, a minimum arrears threshold, or both.
Interest on arrears. If arrears are reduced to a money judgment, statutory judgment interest may apply until the amount is paid.
Modifying an order & COLA reviews
You can ask the court to modify child support when circumstances materially change, or under certain statutory triggers, such as the passage of time or a sufficient change in income, depending on the order and the facts. New York also offers Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) reviews for eligible orders that are being handled through SCU. If you think your order should change, review the current rules before filing because not every case qualifies in the same way.
Paternity / parentage and health insurance
The child support system can help establish legal parentage, including DNA testing when appropriate. Courts may also require health coverage for the child, and employers may receive a National Medical Support Notice to enroll a child in available health insurance or withhold premiums when ordered. Federal forms and instructions are available through the National Medical Support Notice page.
Interstate & international cases
If one parent lives outside New York, the case may be handled under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) using standardized petitions and transmittals. Interstate and some international support matters can take longer than local cases, so it is especially important to keep your address, employment details, and contact information current.
Quick contacts: Nassau & Suffolk
Statewide child support helpline: 888-208-4485 (TTY 866-875-9975). Use the official office lookup for local contacts and current service information. Phone hours may change on holidays or by agency update.
Nassau County
- Support Collection Unit (SCU) – Nassau County Department of Social Services
60 Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Uniondale, NY 11553
Phone: 516-227-8593
Office access, walk-in availability, and hours may change; call ahead or use the statewide office lookup before visiting. - Nassau County Family Court
120 Old Country Rd., Mineola, NY 11501
Court parts, entrances, and assigned locations can change. Always follow the address and instructions on your court notice if they differ.
Suffolk County
- Child Support Enforcement Bureau – Suffolk County Department of Social Services
For current county contacts, mailing instructions, and service availability, use the state office lookup or the statewide helpline. Local service arrangements can change. - If you prefer a direct-pay order (not through SCU): Suffolk Probation intake
Western Suffolk (Central Islip): Cohalan Court Complex, 400 Carleton Ave., Central Islip, NY 11722 · 631-853-4246
Eastern Suffolk (Riverhead): 300 Center Dr., Riverhead, NY 11901 · 631-852-1939
Hours and intake procedures may change, so confirm before visiting. - Suffolk County Family Court (two locations)
John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex, 400 Carleton Ave., Central Islip, NY 11722
Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex, 210 Center Dr., Riverhead, NY 11901
Check your notice or the court system before traveling, since parts and calendars may be assigned by location.
Step-by-step: opening, paying, and managing your case
- Apply for services. You can start through New York State Child Support Services or ask the helpline how to open or update a case for establishment, enforcement, or payment processing.
- Get an order. Orders are typically made in Family Court for Nassau or Suffolk cases, or in Supreme Court as part of a divorce. Support Magistrates commonly hear Family Court support matters.
- Set the payment method. Many orders use income withholding from wages. If another payment method is permitted, use only the options approved by the state.
- Keep your account current. Use your NY.gov account to check balances, monitor payment history, and update contact information when allowed.
- If circumstances change. Ask about a COLA review if eligible, or file in court for a modification when the law allows. Do not simply stop paying because your income changed.
Frequently asked questions (Long Island focus)
Can the court let us handle payments privately instead of through SCU?
Sometimes. SCU is commonly required when public assistance or child support services are involved, but some cases may be set up as direct pay. The court decides, and local intake procedures can vary.
What if the paying parent falls behind?
New York may use wage withholding, tax refund intercepts, liens, license suspension, passport denial, and court enforcement proceedings. Not every remedy is immediate, and some require notice or a minimum amount of arrears.
Do arrears earn interest?
They can if arrears are entered as a money judgment. The amount owed and any added interest should be confirmed from the case record.
What about health insurance?
Courts can order health coverage through an available plan or set cash medical support where allowed. Unreimbursed medical expenses are often shared between the parents in proportion to income.
My child has a qualifying disability and still needs support after 21. Is that possible?
It may be. New York law permits support in certain cases for some adult dependents with qualifying developmental disabilities up to age 26 by petition.
Useful links & tools (official resources)
- Apply, pay, and manage online: New York State Child Support Services
- Local offices and county contacts: New York child support office lookup
- Court forms: New York State Unified Court System family court forms
- Medical support forms and instructions: National Medical Support Notice
Disclaimer
This page provides general information for Nassau and Suffolk County residents and is not legal advice. Laws, agency procedures, payment options, and office locations can change. For case-specific guidance, contact your local child support office, Probation or Family Court as appropriate, the statewide helpline at 888-208-4485, or a qualified New York family-law attorney.
