OUTGOING INTERGOVERNMENTAL

CS 222P-1 Complaint Procedures

01/31/02 Revised 08/17/23 Training Completed 08/31/23 Last Reviewed 04/07/25

45 CFR 303.7

 

 

Intergovernmental Complaint Overview

 

If, in a two-state interstate action, the responding state is not following federal regulations or giving a case adequate attention (refer to CS 151P Duties and Federal Timeframes, CS 201P Central Registry Responsibilities, CS 202P Case Processing Procedures, and CS 203P Non-IV-A Incoming Intergovernmental for more information on responding state responsibilities), you may request assistance from the Office of Recovery Services/Child Support Services (ORS/CSS) Intergovernmental Coordinator.  However, you must first request the assistance of the appropriate individual(s) listed below, in the order that they are listed:

 

1.                   The responding state’s case worker – Document the following information in the case narrative:

a.                   The case worker’s name and phone number;

b.                   The date(s) of the call(s) or letter(s) made/sent to the case worker; and,

c.                   A summary of the conversation(s) and/or response(s) received.

 

NOTE:  There is no federal timeframe for responding to a complaint issued at the case worker level; therefore, use good judgment in allowing the case worker an appropriate amount of time to respond.

 

2.                   The responding state’s unit supervisor – Document the following information in the case narrative:

a.                   The supervisor’s name and phone number;

b.                   The date(s) of the call(s) or letter(s) made/sent to the supervisor; and,

c.                   A summary of the conversation(s) and/or response(s) received.

 

                NOTE: There is no federal timeframe for responding to a complaint issued at the supervisor level; therefore, use good judgment in allowing the supervisor an appropriate amount of time to respond.

 

3.                   The responding state’s Central Registry – Document the following information in the case narrative:

a.                   The Central Registry worker’s name and phone number;

b.                   The date(s) of the call(s) or letter(s) made/sent to the Central Registry worker; and,

c.                   A summary of the conversations(s) and/or response(s) received.

 

Federal regulations, 45 CFR 303.7(b)(4), require the Central Registry Unit (CRU) to respond to all inquiries within five days.  If you do not receive a response from the CRU, refer the matter to the CSS Intergovernmental Coordinator within the Policy Analyst Unit (PAU). 

 

4.                   Utah’s CSS Intergovernmental Coordinator – The CSS Intergovernmental Coordinator will contact the Federal regional representative for assistance.  You must provide the CSS Intergovernmental Coordinator with the following information:

a.                   The case name and number;

b.                   The name and phone number of the case worker contacted;

i.                     The date of the call(s) or letter(s) made/sent to the case worker; and,

ii.                   A summary of the conversation(s) and/or response(s) received (this can be the case narratives);

c.                   The name and phone number of the supervisor contacted;

i.                     The date of the call(s) or letter(s) made/sent to the case worker; and,

ii.                   A summary of the conversation(s) and/or response(s) received (this can be the case narratives);

d.                   The name and phone number of the Central Registry worker contacted;

i.                     The date of the call(s) or letter(s) made/sent to the Central Registry worker; and,

ii.                   A summary of the conversation(s) and/or response(s) received (this can be the case narratives).        

 

 

Complaint Procedures – Custodial Parent/Noncustodial Parent

 

If a custodial parent (CP) or noncustodial parent (NCP) complains about another state and you have taken the steps listed above, you may suggest that s/he contact the Federal Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) by email or at the address provided below:

 

1.                   Office of Child Support Services

Administration for Children and Families

370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20447

2.                   Email - OCSEhotline@acf.hhs.gov for child support cases in the U.S.; or,  ocssinternational@acf.hhs.gov for child support cases with another country.