CS Payments should be mailed to:
PO Box 1110 Miami, OK 75355

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT

What is the role of TCSS in establishing child support?

TCSS works with both Tribal and State courts to establish child support orders that meet the needs of your children. We ensure that payments are calculated fairly according to legal guidelines while considering your family’s unique circumstances. Our goal is to provide stability and security for children while respecting cultural and community values.

Can my child support order be modified if my circumstances change?

Yes. TCSS can review your child support order for modification to ensure it reflects your current situation. Changes such as a shift in income, employment status, or the needs of the child can be considered. Our team will guide you through the process and work with courts to adjust the order as needed.

How does TCSS ensure child support payments are received on time?

TCSS monitors and enforces child support orders to make sure payments are made consistently. We can arrange direct income withholding from wages, benefits, or other sources, and take additional actions such as intercepting tax refunds, placing liens, or levies when necessary. Payments are always disbursed promptly to custodial parents, ensuring children receive the support they need.

TCSS works with both Tribal and State courts to establish child support orders that meet the needs of your children. We ensure that payments are calculated fairly according to legal guidelines while considering your family’s unique circumstances. Our goal is to provide stability and security for children while respecting cultural and community values.

Yes. TCSS can review your child support order for modification to ensure it reflects your current situation. Changes such as a shift in income, employment status, or the needs of the child can be considered. Our team will guide you through the process and work with courts to adjust the order as needed.

TCSS monitors and enforces child support orders to make sure payments are made consistently. We can arrange direct income withholding from wages, benefits, or other sources, and take additional actions such as intercepting tax refunds, placing liens, or levies when necessary. Payments are always disbursed promptly to custodial parents, ensuring children receive the support they need.

ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT

What happens if the non-custodial parent doesn’t make payments?

If payments are missed, TCSS can take steps to enforce the order. This may include requesting income withholding so support is automatically deducted from wages, unemployment benefits, or other income sources.

How does income withholding work?

Income withholding is a process where child support payments are automatically deducted from the non-custodial parent’s income, including salaries, unemployment benefits, or per capita payments. TCSS works with Tribal and State agencies to set up this process, ensuring payments are collected and sent directly to the custodial parent without delays.

Can TCSS take action beyond income withholding?

Yes. If income withholding is not sufficient or other income sources are available, TCSS can place levies on bank accounts, intercept Federal and State tax refunds, and file liens on worker’s compensation or other awards. These measures are designed to protect your children’s financial support and help families access the resources they need.

If payments are missed, TCSS can take steps to enforce the order. This may include requesting income withholding so support is automatically deducted from wages, unemployment benefits, or other income sources.

Income withholding is a process where child support payments are automatically deducted from the non-custodial parent’s income, including salaries, unemployment benefits, or per capita payments. TCSS works with Tribal and State agencies to set up this process, ensuring payments are collected and sent directly to the custodial parent without delays.

Yes. If income withholding is not sufficient or other income sources are available, TCSS can place levies on bank accounts, intercept Federal and State tax refunds, and file liens on worker’s compensation or other awards. These measures are designed to protect your children’s financial support and help families access the resources they need.

MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT

Why would a child support order need to be reviewed?

A child support order may need to be reviewed if there are changes in income, family circumstances, or other factors that affect the ability to pay or the financial needs of the child.

How does TCSS help with modifications?

TCSS reviews existing child support orders upon request and guides families through the modification process, ensuring payments are fair, accurate, and in compliance with current guidelines.

Can modifications increase or decrease child support payments?

Yes. Depending on the circumstances, a review may result in either an increase or a decrease in monthly child support to better reflect the needs of the child and the financial situation of both parents.

A child support order may need to be reviewed if there are changes in income, family circumstances, or other factors that affect the ability to pay or the financial needs of the child.

TCSS reviews existing child support orders upon request and guides families through the modification process, ensuring payments are fair, accurate, and in compliance with current guidelines.

TCSS reviews existing child support orders upon request and guides families through the modification process, ensuring payments are fair, accurate, and in compliance with current guidelines.

ESTABLISHMENT OF PATERNITY

Why is establishing paternity important?

Establishing paternity gives children legal recognition of their father, which allows access to benefits such as Social Security, Veteran benefits, inheritance rights, and their cultural and medical history.

Who does TCSS work with to establish paternity?

TCSS works with both parents to ensure paternity is legally established, providing guidance, support, and access to DNA testing if necessary.

Can child support be ordered without paternity being established?

No. Paternity must be legally established before a court can issue a child support order. TCSS assists families with this process to ensure children can receive the support they are entitled to.

Establishing paternity gives children legal recognition of their father, which allows access to benefits such as Social Security, Veteran benefits, inheritance rights, and their cultural and medical history.

TCSS works with both parents to ensure paternity is legally established, providing guidance, support, and access to DNA testing if necessary.

No. Paternity must be legally established before a court can issue a child support order. TCSS assists families with this process to ensure children can receive the support they are entitled to.

DNA TESTING

How does TCSS collect DNA samples?

TCSS staff are trained to collect DNA samples safely and accurately, following all legal and procedural standards to ensure reliable results.

How long does it take to get DNA results back?

All DNA samples collected by TCSS are sent to certified laboratories that meet strict quality and accuracy standards for paternity testing. Based on complexity and other variables, it can take anywhere from a few business days to a few weeks or, in some extreme cases, months.

How much does DNA testing cost?

DNA testing is generally available at a reasonable cost to the parties involved. In some cases, testing may be provided free of charge depending on eligibility and circumstances.

TCSS staff are trained to collect DNA samples safely and accurately, following all legal and procedural standards to ensure reliable results.

All DNA samples collected by TCSS are sent to certified laboratories that meet strict quality and accuracy standards for paternity testing. Based on complexity and other variables, it can take anywhere from a few business days to a few weeks or, in some extreme cases, months.

DNA testing is generally available at a reasonable cost to the parties involved. In some cases, testing may be provided free of charge depending on eligibility and circumstances.

LOCATION OF ABSENT PARENT

What tools does TCSS use to locate an absent parent?

TCSS leverages a variety of resources, including local, State, and Federal databases, as well as internet search tools. This combination allows our team to gather accurate information to locate non-custodial parents efficiently.

How can custodial parents assist in locating the absent parent?

Custodial parents can provide critical information such as previous addresses, workplaces, phone numbers, or known contacts. This firsthand insight is often the most effective way to help TCSS locate the absent parent quickly.

Why is locating the absent parent important?

Finding the absent parent is essential to enforce child support orders, ensure timely payments, and protect the financial and legal rights of children. It also allows families to access the support and resources they are entitled to while maintaining accountability.

TCSS leverages a variety of resources, including local, State, and Federal databases, as well as internet search tools. This combination allows our team to gather accurate information to locate non-custodial parents efficiently.

Custodial parents can provide critical information such as previous addresses, workplaces, phone numbers, or known contacts. This firsthand insight is often the most effective way to help TCSS locate the absent parent quickly.

Finding the absent parent is essential to enforce child support orders, ensure timely payments, and protect the financial and legal rights of children. It also allows families to access the support and resources they are entitled to while maintaining accountability.

DISBURSEMENT OF PAYMENTS

What happens if the non-custodial parent doesn’t make payments?

If payments are missed, TCSS can take steps to enforce the order. This may include requesting income withholding so support is automatically deducted from wages, unemployment benefits, or other income sources.

How do custodial parents receive child support payments?

All funds collected are disbursed directly to the custodial parent in a timely manner. Payments can be deposited straight into a bank account or placed on a debit card, depending on the parent’s preference.

Does TCSS charge families for enforcement or payment services?

No. All TCSS services, including enforcement and payment disbursement, are completely free of charge. Our priority is ensuring children receive the support they deserve without adding financial burdens to families.

If payments are missed, TCSS can take steps to enforce the order. This may include requesting income withholding so support is automatically deducted from wages, unemployment benefits, or other income sources.

All funds collected are disbursed directly to the custodial parent in a timely manner. Payments can be deposited straight into a bank account or placed on a debit card, depending on the parent’s preference.

No. All TCSS services, including enforcement and payment disbursement, are completely free of charge. Our priority is ensuring children receive the support they deserve without adding financial burdens to families.

PROBATION

What is the STEPP program?

STEPP, or the Supervised Tribal Enforcement Payment Program, is designed to help non-custodial parents maintain employment and stay current on child support payments.

How does STEPP help non-custodial parents?

The program provides guidance, resources, and supervision to assist non-custodial parents in finding and keeping employment, making it easier for them to meet their child support obligations.

How does STEPP benefit children and custodial parents?

By promoting consistent child support payments, STEPP ensures that children receive the financial resources they need and gives custodial parents peace of mind, while supporting family stability.

STEPP, or the Supervised Tribal Enforcement Payment Program, is designed to help non-custodial parents maintain employment and stay current on child support payments.

The program provides guidance, resources, and supervision to assist non-custodial parents in finding and keeping employment, making it easier for them to meet their child support obligations.

By promoting consistent child support payments, STEPP ensures that children receive the financial resources they need and gives custodial parents peace of mind, while supporting family stability.