Whether or not you already have a court order for child support established, the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) is here to help you.  In addition to establishing paternity for your child (if necessary), locating the non-custodial parent, and obtaining/modifying a child support order, we use various methods to collect the basic support your family deserves at no cost to you.  By signing and returning the the Child Support application, we can get started.

We can:

• Send an income withholding notice to the non-custodial parent’s employer for payroll deduction;
• Send a medical support notice to enroll dependent(s) in health insurance coverage.

When the methods above are not successful and the payments fall behind, the state has the following other methods to try to collect past due child support.  Individual case circumstances determine the method(s) used.

• Deduct support from unemployment insurance benefits;
• Intercept federal and/or state tax refunds;
• Deny a passport requested by the delinquent non-custodial parent;
• Suspend/revoke the delinquent non-custodial parent’s professional and/or recreational license;
• Report the delinquent non-custodial parent to credit bureaus;
• Place a lien on the delinquent non-custodial parent’s finances/real estate/personal property;
• Post the delinquent non-custodial parent’s picture on DCSE’s “Wanted for Failure to Pay” Web page (with custodial parent’s permission).

If you are working with an attorney on your child support needs, signing up for HFS child support services could provide additional services to you and your family.  You can work with your attorney and HFS at the same time.

How can you help us help you?

Please provide as much information as you can about your case, including sending us a copy of your support order with your application, if available.

Please report any changes to your address or phone number by calling the Customer Service Call Center at
1-800-447-4278; TTY 1-800-526-5812; faxing at 1-217-524-1218; e-mailing at hfs.webmaster@illinois.gov or in writing to:
                                   
Address Change
IL Dept of Healthcare and Family Services
Division of Child Support Enforcement
P.O. Box 19405
Springfield, IL  62794-9405

Questions?

For general questions, please visit our Web site at www.ilchildsupport.com or call 1-800-447-4278 for assistance.  For payment questions, please call the State Disbursement Unit at 1-877-225-7077 or visit their website at www.ilsdu.com.