RI DHS Office of Child Support Services Reopens to the Public

Published on Thursday, February 16, 2023

CRANSTON, RI – The RI Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today that the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), located at 77 Dorrance St., Providence, will reopen to the public on Monday, Feb. 20, following a series of renovations, staff moves and operational updates. OCSS office hours are Monday to Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m. and customers must be in line no later than 3:30 p.m. in order to meet with a representative.

Initially closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the DHS division relied on remote technology solutions to keep customers and the public informed about key updates, changes to the court hearing process, and decisions regarding cases. The OCSS website at ocss.ri.gov remains a valuable tool for customers to access their account through the Case Manager Customer Portal and to view the directory of caseworker telephone extensions.

The reopening of OCSS will help provide greater support for customers in need of assistance who also have complex circumstances. Specifically, anyone with an active license suspension, bank or insurance lien, passport revocation issue or other sanction will be able to meet with a child support representative the same day after completing specified forms. 

For all other issues, in-person visitors will be asked to fill out a form for a call back. In addition to now visiting in-person, customers can also continue to call 401-458-4400 to speak with an OCSS staff member.

Since OCSS is a division of DHS, any customer seeking other public assistance support such as food, cash or child care benefits can reach out to DHS directly. Customers seeking to connect with a DHS staff member can use the Call Center at 1-855-697-4347, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, (except holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last calls taken at 3 p.m. to assist callers in the queue).  DHS customers can also visit any regional office listed here for in-person assistance and support. The Customer Portal at healthyrhode.ri.gov and the HealthyRhode Mobile App, available for download on the App Store and Google Play, also remain valuable resources for DHS customers looking to update their information anytime and anywhere.