Child support cases usually involve two parents. But, child support cases may also be filed by an agency or third party caring for the child.

Any party, including an agency or third party, can file for child support if that party has custody of the child, regardless of whether a court order has been issued granting that person or agency custody of the child.

Child support is money that a parent pays to help provide food, clothing, housing, and other essential things for his or her child. Child support may also include the cost to provide health care coverage and payment of medical bills and child care costs.

Under Pennsylvania law, parents are liable for the financial support of their children 18 years of age or younger, and are required to support their children to the best of their ability.

Parents may also be liable for the support of their children after the age of 18, for example, if the 18 year old has not yet graduated from high school. Parents are not liable for support of emancipated children 18 years of age or younger. See the section of this book about emancipation.

If you receive public benefits, the child support collected will be paid to the Department of Public Welfare and you will receive what is called a “support pass through.” A support pass through will be paid to you in the month following the month that support was paid.

This can be complicated - for more information, check out our Family Law Handbook | Ley de Familia or consult a Family Law Attorney.

If you do not know where the child’s non-custodial parent lives, your Domestic Relations section should refer you to the Parent Locator Service. This service uses federal, state and local resources to search for the non-custodial parent. You must give Domestic Relations as much identifying information about the Defendant as you can to assist with the search.