Frequently Asked Questions

State and local Child Support Enforcement Offices work with custodial and non-custodial parents to ensure children are given the financial support they deserve.

Things that can be done to enforce a court order include:

• Income Withholding by Employers
• Withholding of Employment Compensation, Worker's Compensation, Social Security Benefits or Veteran's Disability Benefits
• Monthly Billing to Non-Custodial Parents That Are Not Under Income Withholding
• Filing Court Action Against Non-Custodial Parents Who Have Not Paid Support as Ordered
• Credit Bureau Reporting of All Child Support Obligations Handled by CSE
• Interception of State and Federal Tax Refunds
• Liens on Real or Personal Property Owned by the Non-Custodial Parent.

Services include:

• Enforce Child Support Court Orders
• Establish Paternity
• Locate Non-Custodial Parents
• Work to Get Child Support Payments Ordered by the Courts

The CSE agent gathers all available information, evaluates the case and determines support activities to be pursued and works with an attorney to represent cases in Civil Court actions. These attorneys represent the agency and not the individual client in a case. The agent works with all parties in a case, providing information or explanations or case activities when appropriate.

Visit the North Carolina Child Support website for full explanation along with answers to other child support questions.  

A health insurance program for those whose income is so low that they cannot afford health care costs. It is governed by federal and state laws especially in regard to income limits.

Recipients can expect:

• Recipients will receive Medicaid Identification (MID) card, which is their insurance card.
• There are co-payments for some services.
• Recipients receive different types of coverage for different needs.
• You do not have to have a physical or other type of exam. Exemption for disabled must meet the definition of disabled.
• Medicaid is based on your family’s finances.
• You do not have to have a medical need to qualify.

Medicaid eligibility for most recipients is determined by the Department of Social Services (DSS) in the county they reside. Applicants are evaluated on income level, available financial resources and criteria related to categorical standards. Families receiving work first family assistance also receive Medicaid. Clients receiving special assistance also receive auto Medicaid.

Participants are eligible for Medicaid the month in which all categorical and financial conditions of eligibility are met.

You need to fill out an application. To get an application, call Department of Social Services (DSS) and you can ask to have an application mailed to you. If you want help filing the application out, go to DSS and a caseworker will give you an application and help you fill it out. The Health Department also has application forms you can request. Applications are also available online.