Complaint Resolution, State Hearings & Ombudsman

Complaint Resolution                  Ombudsman

State Hearings

The State Hearing is a process where you can have your child support case reviewed by a judge. You must complete the local complaint resolution process before you can request a State Hearing. The following types of complaints can be heard at a State Hearing:

  • Your application for child support services has been denied or has not been acted upon within the required timeframe.
  • Your case has been acted upon and you believe the county acted illegally.
  • Support payments were not given to you, you received the wrong amount, or you don’t agree with the past-due amount.
  • You must make the complaint within 90 days of when you knew about the problem.
  • The child support agency closed your child support case.

Some issues cannot be heard at a State Hearing, specifically Court-ordered amounts of child support; Question regarding paternity; Child custody or visitation; Spousal support; Contempt matters; and Civil rights issues.

If you intend to request a State Hearing, you must do so within 90 days of receiving the county’s response to your complaint, or within 90 days of filing your complaint and the county failed to respond. The State Hearing will be held in your county within 30 days of the State Hearing Office receiving your hearing request.

The Department of Child Support Services Ombudsman can help you prepare the needed documents for your hearing. If needed, translation services and reasonable disability assistance are available to you free of charge.