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$25 Annual Service Fee Frequently Asked Questions

    $25 Annual Service Fee General

  • Q. Why is the $25 Fee being collected?
    • The federal government is imposing on all state child support agencies a $25 annual  fee for services provided in child support cases where:

       

      *  The family has never received cash assistance benefits such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Tribal TANF, CalWorks or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) AND

      *  You (the custodial party) have received $500 or more in child support payments during the previous federal fiscal year (October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011) AND

      *  You (the custodial party) have not already paid a child support annual fee in another state.

  • Q: What is the Department’s authority for levying the fee?
    • Imposition of the fee is federally mandated under the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Public Law 109-171 and California Family Code Section 17208(c).
  • Q: When will the $25 fee be collected?
    • The fee will be deducted from the first child support payment that you receive on or after October 1 of each year. If the first payment you receive on or after October 1 is less than $25, additional deductions will be made until the $25 has been collected.
  • Q: Where does the money go?
    • The funds collected go to the state General Fund as reimbursement for fee payments to the federal government.
  • Q: What if I have more than one child support case?
    • Subject to the conditions covered elsewhere in these FAQs, you will be charged $25 for each qualifying case. The fee will not exceed $25 per case. 
  • Q: Is the $25 fee waived for persons who receive child support payments by direct deposit or EPC card?
    • No. We encourage you to receive your child support payments electronically but this has no effect on your case’s fee status.

    One-time Notice of Annual Service Fee (DCSS-0677)

  • Q: I received a notice regarding a $25 service fee being charged to me in October, why am I being sent this letter?
    • You are receiving this notice because our records show you meet the qualifications for paying the service fee for Federal Fiscal Year 2011: You received more than $500 in disbursements; never received cash assistance benefits such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Tribal TANF, CalWorks or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC); and have not already paid a child support fee in another state.
  • Q: How will I know when the fee will be taken?
    • The fee will be collected from the first disbursement in October and each disbursement thereafter until the entire $25 Fee is paid.
  • Q: Can I pay the fee now instead of waiting for the system to automatically withhold it?
    • No. The fee will be deducted from the first child support payment you receive on or after October 1 of each year. If the first payment you receive on or after October 1 is less than $25, additional deductions will be made until the $25 is collected.
  • Q: Can I send in a check to pay the fee?
    • No. Please do not send a check. The fee will be deducted from the first child support payment you receive on or after October 1 of each year. If the first payment you receive on or after October 1 is less than $25, additional deductions will be made until the $25 is collected.
  • Q: Who can I contact with my questions about the $25 fee?
    • Contact DCSS at 1-866-901-3212 for more information.

    Annual Service Fee Assessment Notice (DCSS 0664)

  • Q: What if I received assistance in the past?
    • If you have received TANF, CalWorks or AFDC in the past you may be exempt from the service fee.
  • Q: What if I begin receiving cash assistance benefits after the fee has been deducted?
    • The fee is collected based on money received during the prior federal fiscal year so no adjustments can be made. However, you may not have to pay the fee in the future.
  • Q: What if I received cash assistance before in another state, but the $25 service fee is collected in California?
    • You may be eligible for a refund. Contact DCSS at 1-866-901-3212 for more information
  • Q: Will the NCP get credit for a full child support payment – even though the fee has been deducted.
    • Yes. Although the first payment you receive on or after October 1 will be reduced by $25, if the NCP makes their monthly child support payment in full, the NCP’s account will show a full payment was received.

    Certification of Annual Service Fee Exemption Form (DCSS-0678)

  • Q: Where do I send the exemption form?
    • Please mail the completed form to:
      California Department of Child Support Services
      Office of Payment Management & Intergovernmental Services
      PO Box 419064 MS 161
      Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9064
  • Q: Do I need to send in proof of the reason I am checking on the exemption form when I mail it back?
    • No, just fill out the form completely, sign it and send it back to DCSS.
  • Q: Can I scan and fax or email the form back instead of mailing it?
    • Not at this time, DCSS is only accepting originally signed copies, please do not fax or email your response. Mail the form you complete and sign to the address above. For this year only, please mail your DCSS-0678 to DCSS no later than August 31, 2011.