FAQ Index - DCSS Public Web

The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from our clients. Before you contact our office, please refer to this list of FAQs as frequent phone calls and letters to our office that provide no new information can slow the child support process. Please click on the question to see the answer.

Opening a Case

	Who is eligible for your services?
	How do I apply for your services?
	What is the cost of your services?
	What sort of documentation or information will I need to open the case?
	How long will it take to open a case?
	Will you open a case for spousal support only?
	My child(ren) and I are receiving CalWORKs benefits, but I did not apply for your services. Why was a case opened?
	The non-custodial parent and I already have an agreement regarding child support. Why are you pursuing him/her?
	If I discontinue from welfare, will you close your case?
	How long before I start receiving child support payments?

Locate

	How do you locate the non-custodial parent?
	What information are you looking for?

Legal

	I just received a Summons and Complaint; what does this mean?
	I do not think I am the father of the child(ren) listed on the Complaint. What do I do?
	I disagree with the child support amount, or one of the terms set in the Proposed Judgement. What do I do?
	How did you arrive at this child support amount?

Enforcement

	A child support order exists and an account is open, so where is my money?
	How do I get the child support amount modified?
	Your county has started collecting from my job by Wage Assignment, and now FTB has served an earnings withholding order at 50% - can I get this reduced?
	I am paying for the same child(ren) in another county. I am already paying your office by Wage Assignment and the other county has served an FTB collection. I cannot afford both. What should I do?
	I just received a "Demand for Payment" letter from the Franchise Tax Board asking me to pay off my entire balance within ten days; will they take my car and/or house, etc, if I cannot pay my balance off?
	My bank account is frozen, how do I get it reinstated?
	I just got a notice that my license will be revoked. How do I stop the process?
	I just discontinued from CalWORKs, how do I get child support?
	I know a payment was recently mailed out to me, but I haven't received it yet. What is the procedure for tracking the checks?
	I am the custodial party. How do I close my case?

Accounting

	How is a payment distributed?
	How long before you stop and re-issue a check?

Out of State Cases

	Can you collect child support obligations when the non-custodial parent lives in another state?
	Can you collect child support obligations when the non-custodial parent lives in another country?
	Why does it take so long for my case to proceed?
	What is Registration of Forgien Order and why is it necessary?
	Why does my order have to be registered out of state?
	Why can't Humboldt county enforce my child support order?