Complaint Resolution Process

Every local child support agency has an Ombudsperson available to provide assistance regarding complaint resolution or state hearing.

The Ombudsperson can help you make your complaint with the local child support agency, or request a state hearing from the state hearing office.

The Ombudsperson can help you obtain information regarding your complaint to help you prepare for your state hearing.

You can reach the Ombudsman by calling our office at (559) 584-1425

Or you can reach the Ombudsman by email here ... Email DCSS.

IMPORTANT: The Ombudsperson cannot be your representative and will not give you legal advice.

COMPLAINT RESOLUTION

Either a custodial party or a non-custodial parent may file a complaint over the handling of a child support case. Complaint forms are available at each county Department of Child Support Services office and on the California Department of Child Support Services website at http://www.childsup.ca.gov.

The Kings County Department of Child Support Services cannot resolve complaints regarding actions taken by the court, such as the amount of a child support order, custody, visitation, or spousal support orders. The court must resolve these matters.

The Kings County Department of Child Support services will resolve complaints about:

Þ Customer service;
Þ Timeliness of service
Þ Payment and billing issues;
Þ Decisions to close a child support case.

IMPORTANT!

Complaints about court services
Cannot be resolved by the county
Department of Child Support Services.
You may see the Family Law Facilitator
At the courthouse, an advocate or a
Lawyer for help in resolving these issues.

COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCESS:

The Kings County Department of Child Support Services is required to respond to every complaint – in writing – within 30 days. If a complaint cannot be resolved within 30 days, The Kings County Department of Child Support Services may extend the time for resolving a complaint up to a maximum of 30 additional days. If the period for resolving a complaint is extended for any reason, the Kings County Department of Child Support Services will mail a notice stating the reason for the extension.

STATE HEARING

Some complaint decisions made by the Kings County Department of Child Support Services can be appealed to a State Hearing. Only the following issues are subject to a State Hearing:

Ø Denial of child support services;

Ø Child support services not provided timely or in a manner required by law;

Ø Incorrect or missing support payments or the amount of arrears owed;

Ø Decisions to close a case.

REQUESTING A STATE HEARING

Forms to request a State Hearing are available by contacting the local Department of Child Support Services or on-line from the State Hearing Office website at http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/shd or by calling toll-free (866)289-4714.

The Department of Child Support Services will assist a custodial party or a non-custodial parent in requesting a State Hearing. Instructions for requesting a State Hearing are included on all complaint resolution forms used by the Department of Child Support Services.

IMPORTANT!
You will be notified of the date, time
and place of the Hearing. If you are
unable to attend, ask for a new hearing date
or for the hearing to be held by telephone.

 

IMPORTANT COMPLAINT RESOLUTION DATES!

You must file your complaint within 90 days of the date you knew, or should have known, about the subject of the complaint.

You must request a State Hearing within 90 days of the date of the written decision of the county Department of Child Support Services on your complaint.

If the county Department of Child Support Services does not respond to your complaint in writing, you must request a State Hearing within 90 days from the date of your complaint to the county Department of Child Support Services.

 

Thank You for paying your child support ! ! !

 

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