Division of Child Support Services

Ms. C. is the mother of the custodial parent Ms.K.   Ms. C. has custody of her grandson and he has lived with her for several years. Ms. C. has never received support for the child from either parent.  DCSS located money that was posted on an Electronic Payment Card (EPC) that was issued to Ms. K. The bank advised DCSS that the card had been activated however, the only person that could withdraw money from it was Ms. K.  We contacted Ms. K. and requested her to withdraw the money and give it to the grandparent, Ms. C.. Ms. K withdrew the money and gave it to Ms. C.; the grandparent confirmed receipt of the total amount in excess of   $4,000.00. Instructions were given to Ms. C. to complete a child support application and the local office was advised to contact Ms. C. and begin redirecting payments after gathering necessary documentation.

Mr. P. is the father of the custodial parent, Ms. D, who is now deceased.  Mr. P. confirmed during a telephone conversation and through other documentation that he had physical custody of his grandchildren.  All pertinent information was gathered regarding this grandparent.  DCSS staff members were able to set up a new case in the grandfather’s name and money that posted to the custodial parents' Electronic Payment Card (EPC) was released and transferred to Mr. P..  Mr. P. advised DCSS staff members that he and his family were Katrina victims and were trying to put their lives back together.  As a result, DCSS staff contacted the local Child Support office in New Orleans to set up a child support case so that Mr. P. would receive regular payments.   DCSS re-directed a substantial amount of child support to Mr. P. through these efforts.

The Financial Customer Service Unit (FCSU), a unit within the Office of Child Support Services that has since been dismantled, received an application from a grandparent who is currently raising five (5) grandchildren.  He requested redirection of child support payments on a Non IV-D case.   A Personal Advocate in FCSU assisted the grandparent by initially forwarding an application to his home, ensuring him that once completed and returned, DCSS could establish a case naming him as custodial parent of the minor children in his care.  Upon receipt of the application, a case was established immediately, accounts were set up and current payments redirected to this case.  Payments of current monthly child support are now being received. Contact was made with DeKalb County DFCS and a GRG referral was requested.  At least four of the children are receiving current payments. A thank you letter was received in behalf of a Child Support Agent assigned to the Jackson Child Support Office in Barnesville, Georgia.  It read:

“First of all I would like to thank you and your staff for all the hard work that you do on a daily basis. I know you have a hard job and you don't get thanked very often.  But, I want to take the time to thank you for all that you have done to help us get the child support for my granddaughter.  Your staff has always been very nice and informative when I call.  Thank you again for all that you do.”