Things You'll Need:
- Patience
- Dates, times, and records to substantiate your claims
- A trusted source to proofread your complaint
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Step 1
Determine if your issues can be resolved through the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) Complaint Resolution Process (CR)
The CR department can resolve complaints involving:
> Customer service
> Timeliness of service
> Payment/billing issues
> Decisions to open/close a case
Issues involving any of the following are not within the jurisdiction of the CR department:
> Court-ordered amount of child support
> Past-due payments
> Custody/visitation
> Civil rights violations
> Court services -
Step 2
Check the calendar
All complaints regarding child support must be filed within 90 days of the date you knew (or should have known) about the subject of your grievance. -
Step 3
File your complaint
If your child support grievances meet the CR requirements, you may file your complaint by phone, in person, or via form LCR001 (Request for Complaint Resolution). The LCR001 Form can be downloaded from the DCSS website and can be submitted by mail or in person. -
Step 4
Wait 30 days
The CR department is mandated to respond to every grievance in writing. Once received, the department will acknowledge your complaint. They then have 30 days to resolve your issues. They may extend this investigation period up to 30 additional days upon written notification to you. -
Step 5
Determine if the CR investigator’s resolution is satisfactory
At the end of the investigation, the CR investigator will mail you a Written Notice of Complaint Resolution. If you are satisfied with the resolution, then pat yourself on the back and relax because there is nothing more you need to do! If you feel the CR investigator’s resolution is unacceptable, proceed to Step 6. -
Step 6
State Hearing Complaint
Decisions that do not involve denial of child support services, child support services not provided in a timely manner, incorrect/missing payments or decisions to close a case can be appealed through a State Hearing. Within 90 days of the date of the CR department’s Written Notice of Complaint Resolution, you must file your request for hearing using Form SH001 (Request for State Hearing Form). The form can be obtained from your local child support agency, by calling the Sate Hearing Office, or via download on the DCSS website. After submitting the Request for State Hearing Form, you will be notified of the date, time, and place of your hearing.
