The California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) issued instructions to Local Child Support Agencies (LCSAs) about providing bilingual and interpreter services. DCSS’ new policy is based on the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act.

DCSS directed LCSAs to 1) provide interpreters for limited English proficient persons who speak a language spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA, 2) post notices in languages spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA about the availability of bilingual services upon request, 3) translate written materials, including forms, signs and literature, into languages spoken by five percent or more of the population served by the LCSA, and 4) determine and employ a sufficient number of bilingual staff in public contact positions.

DCSS included a chart of languages that are spoken by 5% of the population served by the LCSA based on the 2010 census and the American Communities Survey. CSS Letter 16-05 (February 9, 2016).

DCSS has issued information about new child support legislation. Two of these bills are noteworthy. AB 610 authorizes administrative suspension of child support orders due against incarcerated or other involuntarily institutionalized obligors and adjustment of arrears to zero for these obligors if there is no objection from either parent. If there is an objection, the issue is heard in court. This bill is effective October 9, 2016

SB 646 adopts the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act of 2008 (UIFSA) as California law effective January 1, 2016. This is required by federal law. SB 646 also adopts the 2007 Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance as California law. The Hague Convention establishes uniform procedures for processing international child support cases. CSSIN 15-01 (12/22/15).

The California Department of Child Support Services has released a reminder that local child support agencies (LCSAs) must provide accountings in child support cases on request. The LCSA must provide an audit of arrears within 30 days of a request by either a custodial or non-custodial party. If the LCSA cannot complete a review of arrears within 30 days, the LCSA should send a letter to the requestor informing of the delay and an estimate date for completion of the audit of arrears.

The LCSA must also provide a payment history to non-custodial parents on request.

A custodial or non-custodial party can file a request for complaint resolution for failure of a LCSA to provide a financial audit on request.  CSS Letter 15-12 (12/3/15).

The California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) is releasing a new on-line application that is scheduled for implementation in December, 2015. The application, called Virtual Interactive Online Application for Child Support Services (VIOLA), will be the single application process available on DCSS’ website.

VIOLA will be free to use, interfaces with the state child support computer system, can automatically create a new case and allows uploading of up to 30 documents.  LCSA Letter 15-15 (11/23/15).

Tells the Counties that the Department of Child Support Services will now be assessing a $25 annual fee from the custodial party in cases that have never received cash aid (never-assisted). So why tell the welfare departments? To remind them that it is NEVER collected from aided families, including Tribal TANF. [Download]