The mission of the Lake County Department of Child Support Services is being committed to establishing paternity and attaining child support in order to motivate responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency and child well-being. The Lake County Department of Child Support assures that assistance in attaining support is available to children through locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing and modifying support obligations, and enforcing those obligations.
There are 2 different offices for the Lake County Department of Child Services.
Rochelle Moody
Director of the Lake County Child Support Division
Kristen Bruss
Supervising Attorney of the Lake County Child Support Division
Robert Harkins
Supervising Attorney of the Lake County Child Support Division
- How to make a Child Support payment?
- Check or Money Order: Make payments to: Indiana State Central Collection Unit (INSCUU). PO Box 7130. Indianapolis, IN 46207-7130. Include your ISETS case number and custodial party name.
- Credit or Debit Card: Pay at Childsupportbillpay.com/Indiana. Or call 1-866-972-9427
- Cash: 1. Pay at the County Clerk’s Office 2. You are able to select retail locations to pay for support. You can select these locations through Moneygram.com/locations or Paynearme.com/locations.
- IWO (Income Withholding Order): What is it? An order to your employer or anyone else who pays you income to deduct child support from your paycheck. How do I have an IWO sent to my employer? 3 ways to get an IWO sent to your employer is by contacting the Child Support Office, the court, or (if you have one) your attorney as well.
- How is paternity established in Indiana?
- By a paternity affidavit:
- at the hospital within the first 72 hours
- At the local health department in the county where the child was born, before the child is emancipated, as long as no father is listed on the birth certificate.
- By a Court Order: one or both parents must file a paternity action in court.
- By a paternity affidavit:
- What is the Title IVD Child Support Program?
The Federal Social Security Act requires everything to provide Child Support Services. In Indiana, the Title IVD Child Support Program is administered by the Department of Child Services Child Support Bureau and is carried out locally by the county Prosecutor’s Office (as well as the County Clerk and the Courts).
- How does the program work?
- We are required to do several functions to assist in getting child support to families for the best interests of the children. Functions include: Locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, low-cost genetic testing, establishing child support and medical support orders, and enforcing payment of child support.
- The amount of child support you are ordered to pay is based on the Indiana Child Support Guidelines and there are different things that are taken into consideration. 1. Both parents’ incomes 2. The numbers of overnights the children spend with each parent 3. Work-related child care and health insurance expenses 4. Whether either parent supports other children.
- Who represents me in a Child Support case?
Child Support Services does not represent either parent, but represents the State of Indiana and the best interests of the minor children.
- What if I am the Non-Custodial parent, can Title IV-D help me?
Yes. Child support services are available for both custodial and non-custodial parents. Caretakers, relatives, or guardians who have custody of a child may also apply for the child support services.
- How do I report a change of address or new employer?
If you have a non-AFDC case you may go to the local IV-D Office or the local Clerk’s office. Please have ID with you. If you are receiving AFDC, you must contact the local Department of Family Resources and the local Title IV-D office.
- What if I no longer want the enforcement of my child support case?
You may contact the local IV-D Office and request a case closure form, but this will only close the IV-D portion of enforcement of your case and not any existing child support.
- What do I do if my license is suspended for failure to pay child support?
If your driving, hunting, or fishing licenses have been suspended for failure to pay child support, contact the IV-D office to set up a payment plan.
- Why have my taxes been intercepted?
If you are a non-custodial parent and your taxes have been intercepted, you will need to call the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, The Central Enforcement Unit at the Indiana Child Support Bureau at (317) 234-5700.
Contact Us
Lake County Department of Child Support Services: (219) 883-3333
Office hours: The office is open to the public from 8:30 am- 4pm.
Indiana Parenting Time Helpline is a resource staffed by licensed attorneys who can provide: 1) Education about parenting time guidelines 2) Information on visitation questions 3) Relevant referrals for assistance. Call 844-836-0003 or email PTHelpline@dcs.IN.gov
Kidsline: An informational call center for questions regarding child support services. When you want to check on Child Support payments this is the line you call. 1-800-840-8757.
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Regional Call Center: This is where a parent can check on their TANF payments. 1-800-403-0864.