Case Closure
Closing a case with the Child Support Program is different from ending a child support order. When a child support case closes, the Program stops providing services on that case. This does not stop the order or responsibility of parents to comply with their order.
A child support order will typically stay in effect until the youngest child on the order reaches 18 years of age and all support has been paid or when an order is ended or changed by the court or agency that issued it. Closing a child support case does not stop the child support order.
How to close a case:
When the parent who signed up for child support no longer wants the Child Support Program to provide services, they should contact us to ask us to close the case. We may not be able to close the case if:
- The parent due support is receiving cash assistance from the Department of Children and Families
- The parent requesting to close the case is not the parent who signed up for services
- Some of the past-due child support is owed to the federal and state governments
How to end a child support order:
- The parents reside together with the child(ren).
- The child(ren) for whom support is ordered permanently resides with the parent who is ordered to pay support.
- The parent who is ordered to pay support begins receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) after the support order was issued.
- The parent who is ordered to pay support has no income, is permanently disabled, and provides a doctor's statement that they are permanently disabled and unable to work.
- A court has terminated the parental rights of the parent who is ordered to pay support.
- The child(ren) now permanently resides with someone other than a parent or caregiver named on the order, and that person has not elected to receive services or is unknown.
How to stop a case from closing:
When a parent receives a notice that the Program is closing the case and the parent wants the Program to continue to provide services, they should contact us as soon as possible to determine if the case can remain open. There are some reasons why a case must close and services end.
If a parent due support does not return a requested document, appear for genetic testing, or cooperate with similar mandatory activities, the Program will end services and close the case. To reopen a case that was closed due to noncooperation, the parent must complete the requested actions.
How to reopen a closed case:
Parents can sign up for services again. If a parent begins receiving public assistance, the case will automatically reopen.
For questions about closing or reopening your case, email us.
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