Services Mission Statement & Core Values      General Information Opening a Case Establishing a New Order Determining Guideline Child Support Amounts How a Child Support Order is Enforced Non-Custodial Party Served with Papers Paying Your Bill Money Matters Miscellaneous Information Updating Your Case General Information All child support services, including location of the non-custodial parent, establishment and enforcement of paternity and child support orders, and the collection and distribution of child support monies , are available to any individual who files an application for services with the Butte County Department of Child Support Services (BCDCSS).  The non public assistance cases are handled in exactly the same manner as the public assistance cases with the exception of the assignment of support rights. Unlike public assistance cases, the non-aided child support services applicant is not required to give up his or her right to child support. A public assistance child support case is opened as a result of the custodial parent/party applying for and receiving public assistance benefits.  As a condition of receiving public assistance, the custodial party/parent assigns (gives up) his/her right to receive direct child support.  Additionally, any past due child support payments , which were owed to the custodial party prior to receipt of public assistance, are assigned to the county.  The Social Services Department informs the BCDCSS when public assistance benefits are granted.  The BCDCSS then opens a case and proceeds with the establishment or enforcement of a child support obligation (court order). In addition to assigning his/her support rights, the public assistance recipient must, as a condition of eligibility, cooperate with BCDCSS by providing information such as: the location and employer of the non-custodial parent; a declaration of paternity A former public assistance recipient continues to receive childsupport services upon termination of TANF eligibility.  The case remains open until the custodial party notifies the BCDCSS in writing that she or he wishes to close the case.  At that point, the BCDCSS will pursue assigned arrears only and will notify the non-custodial parent that the case is closing .  The non-custodial parent will also be notified that the responsibility to pay still exists if the children involved are minors. Spousal support collection services are provided only if spousal support is ordered within the same order as the child support obligation and the spousal support payee resides with the minor child(ren).  BCDCSS has no authority to either establish a spousal support order or initiate the modification of a spousal support order.