QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CHILD SUPPORT CASE

If you have any questions regarding your case, we encourage you to call us, toll free at 1-866-901-3212; for hearing impaired, TDD (805) 654-5529. Most issues can be resolved during your phone conversation with our staff.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you may ask to speak with a supervisor or make an appointment to discuss the issue in person. For your convenience, you may call to schedule an appointment or be seen as a walk-in without an appointment.

If we are unable to resolve your issue to your satisfaction, the State of California has enacted a Complaint Resolution Program to assist you. To file a complaint please ask for and complete a "Request for Complaint Resolution " form. If a complaint cannot be resolved in 30 days, you will receive a notice stating that the time frame was extended and the reason for the extension. (You may also ask a member of our staff to complete the form for you.) In most instances, you will receive a full response from our office within 30 days of the date we receive your completed form.

Issues that cannot be resolved through the Complaint Resolution Program include:

Child support matters which must, by law, be addressed by the court, unless the same law specifically provides for administrative review.

Complaints challenging the amount of child support or child support arrears set by the court.

Complaints arising from the review of a court order for child and/or spousal support or a court order equivalent determination of paternity.

Complaints arising from custody and/or child visitation determination.

Complaints that, by law, must be resolved so quickly that going through the complaint resolution process would jeopardize the custodial party's or non-custodial parent's rights.

If you do not agree with the complaint resolution, you may request a State Hearing. State Hearings are conducted by an Administrative Law Judge. The Request for State Hearing form is included with the Notice of Complaint Resolution. You must complete the form and submit it within 90 days of the date that the Notice of Complaint Resolution was mailed to you. If you do not receive a Request for State Hearing form with your Notice of Complaint Resolution, you may obtain one by contacting our office or the State Hearing Office at (866) 289-4714, or visit the State Hearing Office's website at www.dss.cahwnet.gov/shd. The Ventura County Department of Child Support Services will assist you in completing these forms.

If the request is accepted by the State Hearing Office, a notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing will be mailed to you. The decision of the Administrative Law Judge will be sent to all parties.

If you disagree with the decision of the Administrative Law Judge, you may file a written request for a rehearing with the State Hearing Office no later than 30 days after receipt of the adopted decision.