How to Request a Child Support Review From DCSS

Child support orders that are more than three years old and that differ from the current guideline by more than 20% may be eligible for an automatic administrative review through DCSS. This is often faster than court-based modification.

How to Request a Review

Contact your local DCSS office and request an administrative review of your support order. DCSS will collect income information from both parties, run the guideline calculation with current data, and — if the guideline amount differs significantly from the current order — initiate a modification proceeding. This process doesn’t require you to file anything with the court.

Administrative reviews are underutilized. Many custodial parents don’t know DCSS can initiate a modification review on their behalf. This is particularly valuable when the paying parent’s income has increased and the custodial parent doesn’t want to file court motions. The administrative process handles the procedural work — the custodial parent’s job is to provide accurate information about their own income and make sure the paying parent’s income is properly documented.

The California Child Support Recovery System gives custodial parents the exact tools and templates to enforce support orders, calculate arrears, and use every enforcement mechanism available. Request your free evaluation here.