About Child Support for Women
Child support is administered state-by-state under the federal Title IV-D program, with every state required to operate a Child Support Enforcement (CSE) agency. For custodial mothers, these agencies establish paternity, locate non-custodial parents, calculate orders under state guidelines, and enforce payments through wage garnishment, tax refund intercept, license suspension, and contempt actions. Services are free of charge. Mothers can also pursue retroactive support and modifications when income changes. The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) oversees the program. This directory includes each state's CSE agency, online support calculators, local enforcement offices, and modification resources.
6 Resources
The Alaska Child Support Services Division helps women establish paternity, obtain and enforce child support orders, and modify orders when circumstances change. Call 800-478-3300 or visit childsupport.alaska.gov to apply. Located at 550 W 7th Ave Suite 310, Anchorage. Bring birth certificates, proof of income, and any existing court orders to your intake interview. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.
800-478-3300 · 550 W 7th Ave Suite 310, Anchorage, AK 99501 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm
The National Child Support Enforcement Association supports state child support professionals and advocates for policy improvements. Their website at ncsea.org provides information on how the child support system works, state-by-state program contacts, and resources for parents seeking enforcement. Women can use this site to better understand the enforcement process and what agencies can do to collect payments.
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The federal government maintains a direct-link directory to every state's child support enforcement office at acf.hhs.gov. Women can find their state agency's phone number, website, and office locations to open a case, request enforcement, or modify existing orders. All state child support agencies are federally mandated to provide services. Click your state to access the direct agency contact.
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The Single Mother Guide at singlemotherguide.com offers practical plain-language articles explaining how to apply for child support, what to do if the father is unemployed or hiding income, how to request a modification, and enforcement options when payments stop. Written specifically for single mothers, the guide covers both state agency processes and hiring a private attorney. Free to access online 24/7.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics publishes a child support basics guide for separating parents at healthychildren.org. The resource explains how child support is calculated, what expenses it covers, how to work with the state agency, and how changes in income affect payments. Written from a child-welfare perspective, it helps women focus on their children's financial needs during separation. Free online resource.
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The National Family Support Network strengthens families through quality support programs, training, and policy advocacy. NFSN connects families to local family resource centers, parent education classes, and peer support networks. Visit nationalfamilysupportnetwork.org to find member organizations in your state offering parenting workshops, home visiting, and economic support services. Free to access online.
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