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GREENE COUNTY PROSECUTOR |
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Q: Why did I receive correspondence from your office? I only signed up for the Hoosier Healthwise Program. I did not ask for an appointment.
A: The Hoosier Healthwise Program is part of the Medicaid Program but many people don’t realize this when applying. The Family and Social Services Administration generates a referral to our office for any recipient of the Medicaid or AFDC/TANF programs when there is a parent missing from the household. A custodial parent is required to cooperate with the Child Support Division if he/she is receiving Medicaid benefits for him/herself or receiving AFDC/TANF as a condition of eligibility for these programs.
Q: What are your office hours?
A: The Child Support Division hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, EST, Monday thru Friday.
Q: Why do you ask for my social security number when I call for information on my case?
A: This information helps us to look up your case quickly and also helps to ensure your privacy.
Q: Why do you ask for the names of both parents/parties when I call?
A: When clients call our office with questions about their case or to report information on their case, the names of both parties are needed to locate the correct file or case. Some clients have multiple cases with different parties, so getting this information is necessary. Cases in our office are filed and assigned alphabetically by the absent parent’s last name.
Q: I want to know what’s going on with my case. Why can’t I talk to my case manager now?
A: Your case manager may be busy with another client, working to prepare a case for court, or doing any number of other required tasks. You will be called back as soon as possible.
Q: I have information about a parent who is not paying his/her child support. How and where can I report this information.
A: You may email ChildSupport @co.greene.in.us or call the Child Support Division (812-384-3314). If you prefer to remain anonymous, we will still accept any information you would like to provide. If you would like to report the location of a non-paying parent and/or a non-paying parent that has a body attachment, you may report information through the Indiana Bureau of Child Support @ WantedTips@fssa.state.in.us. Your help is always greatly appreciated!!
Q: Why can’t a third party get case information for me?
A: Due to strict confidentiality rules and regulations of the Indiana Supreme Court and the Internal Revenue Service, information regarding IV-D cases can only be given to a party involved in the case. A “party” is usually the Obligor (Absent Parent) who pays the child support, and the Obligee (Custodial Parent) who receives the child support. Spouses, children, parents or other relatives and friends of either parent are not considered legal parties to the case. On a limited basis, attorneys representing the parties and courts may receive information regarding IV-D cases.
Q: Can a third party call to request information or report changes for me?
A: YES. Your spouse, parent, other relative or friend may call for you to request information or report changes. Any requested information will be sent directly to you by mail.
Q: Are the records held by the IV-D Office public records?
A: NO. Our records are NOT public records. All records in our office are STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. Please see Indiana Code regarding IV-D duties and responsibilities.
Q: What does the Deputy Prosecutor do:
A: The Deputy Prosecutor oversees work done on cases, interviews clients and takes cases to court. He spends a limited amount of time in the office.
Q: I want to talk to the Deputy Prosecutor. What should I do?
A: To speak with the Deputy Prosecutor, you will need to make an appointment. With few exceptions, appointments are always on Thursday mornings. In most instances, clients with active cases can talk to the receptionist about their concerns and he/she can direct the problem to the appropriate case manager. The case manager will determine whether an appointment is necessary and, if so, direct the receptionist to schedule an appointment for you. In most cases, your case manager will be able to help you with your problems.
Q: Isn’t the Deputy Prosecutor my attorney?
A: The Deputy Prosecutor does not represent clients of our office on a personal basis. The Deputy Prosecutor represents the interest of the State of Indiana rather than any individual client of the Child Support Division.
Q: Why can’t I speak directly to the Deputy Prosecutor when I call?
A: The Deputy Prosecutor is only in the office on certain days and at certain times. He is in the Child Support Division on Thursday mornings for appointments and other times during the week for court. Most concerns or problems with your case should be addressed to your case manager. He/she will determine whether it is an issue the Deputy Prosecutor should be aware of or should take action on.
Q: How can I enforce my visitation rights?
A: You will need to seek a private attorney or other legal counsel for help with this issue. (Indiana Legal Services 800-822-4774). The Child Support Division, by statute, can only assist participants of the IV-D program in the area of support. You can also file a “pro se” contempt of parenting time action. These forms are available on the Indiana Judiciary web site www.in.gov/judiciary.
Q: Do I have to let my child visit with the other parent?
A: The Child Support Division cannot answer this question as we are prohibited, by statute, from being involved in any issues except child support. You will need to consult a private attorney about this issue. (Indiana Legal Services 800-822-4774) Parenting Time Guidelines.
Q: Does exercising regular visitation reflect on my child support order?
A: YES. Credit is given for exercising visitation rights, also known as Parenting Time. The amount of credit depends on the number of overnight visits with the child(ren). The child support obligation is based on the income of BOTH parents with visitation.
Q: I suspect my child is being abused during the other parent’s visitation.
A: If you suspect abuse or neglect of your child(ren) (or any child) you should contact the Department of Child Services in the county where the child(ren) resides. To “Report Child Abuse & Neglect” call the toll free number: 800-800-5556.
Q: What is an offset?
A: An offset is a tool used to collect past due child support from absent parents. If an absent parent owes certain amounts of child support, and is owed a refund of State and/or Federal taxes he/she has paid, this refund can be applied to the child support arrearage. Lottery winnings and other federal payments may also be offset to pay for past due child support.
Q: How is a parent submitted for an offset? Do I need to fill out or sign any papers to do this?
A: An absent parent can be submitted for an offset if he/she owes more than specific amounts of past due child support. For Federal offsets, the minimum past due amount must be $500 or more. For State of Indiana offsets, the minimum past amount must be $75 or more. Cases being handled by our office are automatically submitted for offsets through the State child support computer system, so custodial parents do not need to fill out or sign any forms to have absent parent submitted. Case types must be “IV-D” to qualify.
Q: How long do I have to wait to receive money from an offset?
A: It is often difficult for the Child Support Division to know how long it will take to receive the offset money. Due to the offset being processed by other agencies, there is no real way for us to know this. Generally, State of Indiana offsets are processed more quickly than Federal offsets. Also if an offset involves a joint federal offset amount, the amount is automatically held for a period of six months in order to give the spouse the opportunity to file an “injured spouse claim” for their portion of it. After this period, at least another 6 to 8 weeks should be allowed for the refund amount to be sent out by the State to the custodial parent.
Q: I didn’t receive any money through the offset program. Why?
A: THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES THAT ANY AMOUNTS WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGH TAX INTERCEPTS! There are several reasons why a custodial parent does not receive amounts from Federal or State offsets:
√ The absent parent may not be eligible for a refund. √ The absent parent may owe another debt for which the offset amount has been applied. √ There may be money owed to the State of Indiana for past public assistance received by the custodial parent(s) on one or more child support cases. √ The absent parent may not be required to file a Federal or State income tax return. √ The absent parent may have elected to receive his/her refund throughout the year.
Q: Why can’t the Child Support Division give me any info about tax refund amounts posted to my case?
A: Due to Internal Revenue Service regulations, no information regarding tax offsets can be given to anyone, other than the person from whom the offset is being taken.
Q: What is paternity?
A: Paternity is the relationship between father and child. Establishing paternity is the process of making this a legal relationship.
Q: Why should I establish paternity?
A: (Listed)
Identity: It’s important to know who we are. Your child will benefit from the sense of belonging that comes from knowing both parents.
Birth Certificate: By law, if the father signs the paternity affidavit, the father’s name will be listed on the child’s birth certificate.
Financial: The law requires that both parents support their child. Establishing paternity is the first step in making plans, which can be monitored by the courts, to provide the financial support that your child will need in a way that is fair to both parents.
Benefits: Your child has the right to other possible benefits from both parents. Many of these will be denied to your child if legal paternity is not established. Some of these benefits may include Social Security from a deceased or disabled parent, inheritance rights, veteran’s benefits, and life insurance.
Medical: A child needs to know if he or she may have inherited any special health problems from either side of the family. Also, it might be possible to obtain medical insurance through a parent’s employer, union, or military service.
Relationships: Both parents have a right to establish a healthy relationship to care for their son or daughter. Making the relationship legal provides a greater opportunity for this to take place and ensures your right to pursue a relationship with your child.
Name: If the father is not married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth, the State is required to register the child with the mother’s last name unless paternity is established by an affidavit.
Q: How is paternity established legally?
A: (Listed)
1) If the mother is married when the child is born, her husband is considered, by law, to be the father unless a court determines otherwise.
2) If the mother has been divorced or widowed less than ten (10) months, her husband at the time of conception is considered, by law, to be the father.
3) If the mother is married at the time of birth or was married at the time of conception, but her husband contends he is not the natural father of the child, paternity will need to be established in a court. The court will require a DNA test in order to make the determination.
4) If the mother is not married at the time of the birth, and was not married at the time of conception, paternity can be established in one of three ways:
ΠPaternity Affidavit: The father may complete a paternity affidavit provided by the State Department of Health within 72 hours (3 days) of the birth of the child. This must be signed by both the mother and the father. This form will be made available to the parents in the hospital at the same time that the birth certificate is completed.
Ť Administrative: Effective July 1, 1997, paternity can be established by completing the required affidavit at the local health department in the jurisdiction where the birth occurred. A legal determination of paternity will exist 60 days after the affidavit is properly completed. This process is available until the child reaches 18 years of age.
Ž Court Determination: Paternity may be established by filing a paternity action in court. The parties may agree to the paternity or request a DNA test and hearing.
Q: How can I get a DNA test?
A: If the parents completed a paternity affidavit at the hospital or the health department, Indiana law prohibits DNA testing. If you have any doubt regarding your relationship, you should not execute these documents. DNA testing is done in the Child Support Division only after a court order has been issued, and payment has been made for the testing costs. Contact the Child Support Administrator, Amy Burgher, for more information.
Q: My child’s father is living with me. He works and provides for us as a family. Why should I pursue paternity establishment?
A: Even though you and the other parent are living together with your child as a family, you should still establish paternity for your child. No one can predict what events might occur in the future. Think of paternity establishment as an insurance policy against the unknown. If you and the other parent marry at some point after establishing paternity and support, the support order will never become active. However, doing this now will enable you to immediately begin support if you and the other parent should ever split up.
Q: Where am I suppose to send my child support payments?
A: Effective July, 2007, child support payments should be sent to the Indiana State Central Collection Unit (INSCCU). The address is: INSCCU, PO BOX 7130, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46207-7130
Types of payments accepted are personal checks, money orders, and cashier checks. DO NOT SENT CASH PAYMENTS TO INSCCU. Information with payment is: 1) AP’s Name , 2) AP’s Phone Number, 3) Last 4 digits of AP’s Social Security Number, 4) AP’s Address, and 5) ISETS# and/or CAUSE#.
A remittance form may be found and downloaded at www.INSCCU.com
OR...You may also make CASH ONLY PAYMENTS in the Clerk’s Office of the county where your court order was entered.
Q: I have questions about the debit card account set up for receiving payments. Who do I call for information about this?
A: Customer Service #: 1-888-393-5866 (24/7) www.eppicard.com
Q: The other parent missed last week’s payment, what should I do?
A: Generally, the Child Support Division cannot take any action for missed payments until 30 days have elapsed. There could be a good reason for missing payments, such as losing a job or being sick and not able to work for a short period of time. If the other parent has lost a job and is eligible for unemployment benefits, it often takes a few weeks for those benefits to begin. PLEASE NOTE: Some employers only remit child support payment once a month.
Q: The other parent is very far behind in child support payments and isn’t making any effort to pay (or has never paid). What can be done about this?
A: Tracking down a non-paying parent is frustrating for both custodial parents and case managers. However, there are several approaches we can take to hold absent parents responsible for their child support. Some of these include flagging possible tax refunds for intercept, submission to parent locate services, reports to credit bureaus, passport suspension, and license suspension; including driver’s licenses, professional licenses and hunting licenses. When administrative remedies fail, contempt action is filed against the absent parent. This action may result in a jail sentence.
Q: How can I find out if the absent parent on my case has made a payment?
A: You may call the KIDS LINE @ 1-800-840-8757. Parties can also view the last five (5) support payments disbursed or paid via the Indiana Child Support Bureau’s web site www.childsupport.in.gov. To access this data, the parties need to know their MPI number and their PIN. “PIN” numbers are requested from the web site. To insure delivery of the PIN notice, your address needs to be correct in ISETS (Indiana Support Enforcement Tracking System) computer system. Parties may call the Child Support Division or the county Clerk’s Office to obtain MPI numbers and check their mailing addresses in ISETS. Custodial parent’s address changes must be done through the Clerk’s Office.
Q: I need a payment history for proof of income. Can you fax it to me or an agency?
A: NO. Due to IRS regulations, we DO NOT fax any payment histories. We can mail payment histories to the parties of the case, or they can be provided at the Child Support Division. We can only provide payment records on cases in Greene County.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |