Federal Government Shutdown

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and the lack of federal funding, the start of applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has been delayed until further notice. The shutdown is not yet affecting other programs overseen by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance — including Public Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Applications for Public Assistance and SNAP are continuing to be accepted, benefits are being provided, and use of benefit cards are not impacted at this time. If the shutdown continues into November, benefits for SNAP could be delayed. This message will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Call your representative now to let them know how these cuts would impact you, your family, and your community.

Last updated: October 23, 2025, 9:10 AM

Division of Child Support Services

OTDA Home About OTDA Division of Child Support Services

Eileen M. Stack, Deputy Commissioner

Child Support Services (CSS) oversees the administration of the Child Support Program by the social services districts. The program provides custodial parents with assistance in obtaining financial support and medical insurance coverage for their children by locating noncustodial parents, establishing parentage, establishing, modifying, and enforcing support orders, and collecting and distributing child support payments. Additional programs overseen by CSS include the:

  • Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage program that assists unmarried parents, as well as married or unmarried parents of a child conceived through assisted reproductive technology, with establishing legal parentage for their child.
  • Access and Visitation program which provides services such as counseling, mediation, parent education, development of parenting plans, and visitation enforcement through supervised visitation, monitored visitation, monitored child exchange and/or neutral site child exchange.

Back to Top