Support means
a lot to your family.
We're here to help.

Information for people receiving support

We know your family support payments are important to you. We're here to help you get them.

• ask FRO to take enforcement action against the payor?
  If you haven't received a payment in more than 30 days, please contact us right away. We can take enforcement action to recover the money you are owed. Find out more
• complete a Statement of Arrears?
  Fill this out to tell us about any unpaid support amounts you are owed. You can find a copy of this form and instructions on our website under Forms. You can fill it out on a computer or on paper. Keep a copy for your records and submit the original with any support documents to FRO by fax or mail. Here's our contact information.
• find out the status of my case?
  You can access information anytime using our automated information line. To do so, you will need to use your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Learn more
• change my support order, end support or increase my payment?
  The Family Responsibility Office cannot change any of the terms in your support order or domestic contract. Only the courts can do that. Learn more
• collect interest on late payments?
  We do not automatically add interest to our accounts. If your court order includes a condition for interest, fill in the interest portion of the Statement of Arrears form and submit it to us. FRO will work to collect interest on your case. Learn more
• get information on child custody and access?
  FRO does not have the authority to become involved in child custody or access issues. Visit the Ministry of the Attorney General website for information on child custody and access.
• find a lawyer?
  If you need to change your support order or domestic contract, you can get advice from a lawyer, your local Legal Aid office or Family Law Information Centre. Here's how
• withdraw my case from FRO?
  If you would prefer to arrange for support payments to take place privately between you and the payor, without FRO's involvement, you can withdraw your case. Here's how
• serve court documents on FRO and when?
  You need to serve the FRO Legal Services Branch by mail, fax or delivery when you request enforcement relief, or when responding to an enforcement proceeding. Here’s how

• my child’s circumstances change?
  If your child’s circumstances change (for example, your child turns 18, moves out, finishes school, gets a job or gets married), you need to contact a lawyer to discuss your options. We cannot change the amount of support you pay. Find out more
• lost, forgot, need to change my PIN?
  Your personal identification number (PIN) is designed to protect your personal information. Please contact us at 416-326-1817 or toll free at 1-800-267-4330 right away if you have any concerns about your PIN.
• my payment is late or I stop receiving payments?
  If you haven't received a payment in more than 30 days, please contact us right away. We can take enforcement action to recover the money you are owed. Find out more
• I get a payment directly from the payor?
  Tell us immediately if you get a payment directly from the payor. When your case is filed with us, the payor must make all support payments through our office. How to contact us
• I have new information about the payor?
  Tell us immediately about any changes to the payor’s information. This includes a new address, phone number, employer or income source, or if the payor buys or sells property, opens a business or sends you a payment directly. How to contact us
• I’m moving or my contact information changes?
  You must tell us about any changes to you name, address or other personal information within 10 days to avoid file errors. Here's how to contact us
• the payor dies?
  Please contact us immediately. We will review your file and take appropriate action. Here's how to contact us
• the payor declares bankruptcy?
  Contact us to make sure that we know about the bankruptcy. We can try to collect support arrears that build up after the bankruptcy through the trustee. Here's how to contact us

• am a status Indian or I live on a First Nations reserve?
  If you are a status Indian, we will register and enforce your support order. How we collect support payments depends on the Indian status of the people entitled to the support. Find out more
• leave Ontario, don’t live in Ontario or the other person doesn’t live in Ontario?
  FRO has enforcement agreements with every Canadian province and territory, every state in the United States of America, as well as 31 other countries. If one party lives in one of these areas, you can usually get, change or enforce a support order. Learn more
• have been receiving an annual cost of living adjustment and I shouldn’t have?
  Cost of living adjustments (COLA) overpayments:
  The Family Responsibility Office (FRO) is taking immediate steps to correct an administrative error and credit a number of clients who have overpaid child support. Not everyone’s case is affected. Learn more

• need to go back to court?
  You will need to go to court if you want to change any of the terms in your support order or domestic contract. This includes ending, increasing and lowering your support payments. Learn more
• need to contact FRO?
  It is important that you contact us immediately if anything on your case or in your personal life changes or if you receive a letter or notice from FRO, so we can enforce your support order effectively. Learn more
• receive my support payment?
  If there are no complications, you can expect to receive your first payment within 30 to 60 days of registration. After that, when we receive a support payment, we deposit it in your account usually within 48 hours. Learn more