Texas just pulled off something remarkable: successfully modernizing a 30-year-old computer system that handles $4 billion in child support payments for 1.5 million cases without completely breaking everything in the process. The new ChAMP system (Children Are My Priority) officially launched June 12th, and the numbers are already telling an impressive story.
In just six weeks, ChAMP has processed 3.1 million payments totaling $614 million in support – an amount that exceeds what 35 other states disburse in an entire year. For a system upgrade of this magnitude, that’s not just successful – it’s groundbreaking.
Why This Matters to Every Texas Parent
If you’re a parent dealing with child support in Texas, this affects you directly. The Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division operates the largest child support program in the nation, serving over 1.7 million children across nearly 1.5 million cases and collecting more than $4 billion each year.
Before ChAMP, parents were dealing with a system that was literally older than many of the children it was designed to support. Key financial processes that once took up to five business days due to overnight batch processing now happen in near real-time, meaning faster support payments reaching families.
The Numbers That Tell the Real Story
The scale of this operation is staggering. Texas operates the largest child support program in the nation, managing nearly 1.5 million cases and collecting more than $4 billion each year. To put that in perspective, the division previously set records by collecting $4.8 billion in fiscal year 2020.
The new system’s early performance metrics are impressive:
- 3.1 million payments processed in six weeks
- $614 million in support distributed
- Over 1 million logins to the new Self-Service Portal in the first month alone
- More than 100,000 employers already using the new Employer Portal
What Parents Can Actually Do Now
The biggest change for parents is 24/7 access to real-time information. Through the new Self-Service Portal, parents can log in anytime – online or from a mobile device – to view case and payment information instantly. No more waiting for business hours or outdated information.
Employers benefit too, with a streamlined system for reporting new hires and securely exchanging information with the agency. This means faster processing when a non-custodial parent starts a new job, leading to quicker wage garnishments and more consistent support payments.
The Growing Pains Are Real
While the overall launch has been successful, it hasn’t been completely smooth. Some Texas parents have experienced frustration over delayed child support payments due to the recent system upgrade, and some families report not getting payments as expected.
Attorney General Paxton’s office acknowledges that “some customers may have case-specific holds or questions from time to time due to their unique circumstances,” and encourages anyone with issues to contact the OAG-CSD through the website’s chat feature or by calling (800) 252-8014.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Upgrade Was Critical
Over the past 20 years, the caseload has grown to 1.5 million cases serving over 1.7 million children, making modernization critical to meeting evolving family needs. The old system simply couldn’t handle the volume and complexity of modern child support operations.
The timing is also crucial given the challenges facing Texas families. Data shows that as of December, the amount of child support owed statewide has topped $21 billion, highlighting the critical importance of having efficient collection and distribution systems.
What Makes ChAMP Different
ChAMP consolidates multiple data sources into a unified case management system, giving child support officers streamlined workflows, automated functions, and real-time data to make faster, more informed decisions. The cloud-based platform is designed for adaptability and continuous evolution, opening doors to innovations that were impossible under the legacy infrastructure.
This isn’t just about updating old software – it’s about building a foundation for the next generation of child support services. The system is designed to grow and adapt as needs change, rather than requiring another complete overhaul in a few decades.
The Economic Impact
Beyond helping individual families, ChAMP represents significant economic development for Texas. The state now has the most advanced child support system in the nation, setting a benchmark for what modern, high-performing programs can achieve.
This technological leadership attracts businesses and families to Texas while ensuring that children receive the support they’re legally entitled to. Every dollar collected and distributed efficiently strengthens both individual families and the broader Texas economy.
Looking Forward
Attorney General Paxton emphasized that ChAMP “empowers our staff with better tools and gives parents the timely support and information they deserve.” The system’s early success suggests that modernization is delivering on those promises, even with some expected transition challenges.
For Texas families dealing with child support, the message is clear: the system is working better than ever, processing more payments faster than before, and giving parents unprecedented access to their case information. While some growing pains are normal for a project of this scope, the overall trajectory shows a dramatic improvement in service delivery.
The bottom line? Texas just upgraded from a 1990s-era system to a state-of-the-art platform that’s already processing over $100 million per week in child support payments. That’s progress that directly benefits Texas children and families, setting a new standard for how government services can and should work in the 21st century.
For questions or issues, contact the OAG-CSD:
- Website chat feature at texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support
- Phone: (800) 252-8014
