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Receiving Child Support Payments

DCFS strives to send every child support payment electronically — either by direct deposit into your checking or savings account, or loaded onto a U.S. Bank ReliaCard® if you haven’t enrolled in direct deposit yet. Direct deposit is the option we recommend: it’s free, it’s fast, and there’s nothing to activate once it’s set up. 

Direct Deposit  

You may participate in the Direct Deposit Program if you meet the following criteria:

  • Have an active checking or savings account in your name.
  • Complete and return the Direct Deposit Authorization Form with required documentation for the preferred method of deposit as listed below: 
    • Submit a voided check; or 
    • Financial institution letter showing the account number and routing number.
  • Mail the above information to DCFS Child Support Enforcement to the following address:

    DCFS – CSE
    Direct Deposit
    P.O. Box 65245
    Baton Rouge, LA 70896

Direct Deposit will go into effect once your authorization form has been received and processed by CSE and your account information has been verified by your bank or credit union. A check will be issued to you until the account information has been verified. Once the information is verified, future payments posted to the case will be directly deposited into your account. If the account information is rejected, a check will be issued. Funds are usually available within 48 hours after the payment is posted to LASES.  (Exception: IRS offsets may be held up to six months due to injured spouse claims.)

If your name on the authorization form differs in any way from your name on the child support case, the authorization form will be returned. To verify deposited funds, you may contact your financial institution.

Canceling Direct Deposit 

You must notify the Child Support Customer Service Center in writing.  Send or fax a new authorization form to:

DCFS – CSE
Direct Deposit
P.O. Box 65245
Baton Rouge, LA  70896

– Or –

Fax: (225) 342-0543
(Cancellation of Direct Deposit Only)

If you have any questions regarding the Direct Deposit Program or if you have a change in your account information, contact the Customer Service Center: 

Important:  Once your direct deposit is cancelled, payments will be sent to your previously activated U.S. Bank ReliaCard®, if one is available. If you have not previously activated a ReliaCard, payments will be sent by check to your address on file until you enroll for a new ReliaCard or submit a new Direct Deposit Authorization form. To avoid delays and continue receiving payments electronically, please enroll in a payment option as soon as possible. 

US Bank ReliaCard (new language) 

If you haven’t set up direct deposit, DCFS automatically mails you a U.S. Bank ReliaCard so your payments still reach you electronically. It arrives in a plain envelope — activate it right away so payments can load as soon as they post to your case, typically within two to four business days. 

Here’s how it works:  

  1. Your child support case opens 
    Once your case is ready to receive payments, DCFS sends the payment electronically — by law, payments can’t be mailed as paper checks on an ongoing basis. 
  2. A U.S. Bank ReliaCard is mailed to you 
    If you haven’t signed up for direct deposit, a ReliaCard is mailed to the address on your case, along with notices about payment options and card fees. 
  3. You activate the card 
    Follow the instructions included with the card, or visit usbankreliacard.com. Payments can’t be loaded to the card until is active.
  4. Payments load automatically 
    Once a payment posts to your case, funds are typically available on your card within two to four business days — no trip to the bank required. 

See DCFS Stored Value Card Disclosures

You can switch to direct deposit at any time using the steps above — there’s no waiting period. 

Move this from the Child Support Payment Methods Page:  

To check the balance on your Direct Payment Card, please visit https://www.usbankreliacard.com (opens in a new tab) or download the U.S. Bank ReliaCard Mobile app for iOS (opens in a new tab) or Android (opens in a new tab) devices. For fees associated with the use of the DCFS debit card, visit https://www.usbankreliacard.com/documentLocator?docId=reliacardlacsdisclosures (opens in a new tab). To report a lost, stolen or damaged Direct Payment Card, contact U.S. Bank Customer Service at 1-855-274-0374. 

Get Help:  

Who to call, depending on what you need 

Report a lost, stolen, or damaged card 

Balance and card questions, U.S. Bank Cardholder Services
1-855-274-0374 

View your case online

Payment history, case details, and secure messaging 
dcfs.la.gov/café  (opens in a new tab)

Automated payment info, 24/7 

Recent payments, balances, and case status by phone 
1-877-7LA-DCFS (1-877-752-3237) 

Case & payment questions 

DCFS Customer Service Center · Mon–Fri, 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. 
1-877-7LA-DCFS (1-877-752-3237)