Child Support Services for Custodians and Kinship Families

The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) provides child support services to the physical or legal custodian of a child and redirects child support payments if a legal custodian grants physical custody of a child to another individual during a time of hardship.

O.C.G.A. §§ 19-11-6, 19-11-7, 19-11-8(a)
DHS Rules & Regulations 290-7-1-.04, .15

45 CFR §§ 303.2, 302.33(c), 302.35, 302.50, 303.15

All Georgia child support offices receiving Title IV-D funds, including all private vendors contracted with the Department of Human Services to provide child support services.

Individuals granted physical or legal custody of a child can receive services through the DCSS on behalf of that child. Services are provided to physical or legal custodians upon proper application by the custodian, or upon referral by the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) or the Division of Aging Services (DAS). Written documentation of custodianship must be submitted with the application or referral for services to be provided. DCSS, upon proper proof, redirects child support payments from the legal custodian to the physical custodian when the legal custodian grants physical custody of a child to another individual during a time of hardship. Child support payments revert to the legal custodian when physical custody is terminated or revoked.

Kinship care refers to a temporary or permanent arrangement in which a relative or any non-relative adult who has a long-standing relationship or bond with the child and/or family has taken over the full-time, substitute care of a child whose parents are unable or unwilling to do so. Kinship care includes those relationships established through an informal arrangement, legal custody, guardianship order, a relative foster care placement or kinship adoption.