The State Hearing
Process and You
 The
State Hearing Process is a process where you can have your
case reviewed by an administrative law judge. You have a right
to a State Hearing if you have gone through the Complaint
Resolution Process and:
- The county has responded within 30 days and you are not
satisfied with the response. You must request a State Hearing
within 90 days after you received the county's response
to your complaint.
- Or, the county failed to respond to you within 90 days
after you filed your complaint.
The State Hearing will be held in your county. You can call
or write the State Hearing Office at the following toll-free
number and address:
1-866-289-4714
California Department of Social Services
State Hearing Office
744 P Street, MS 19-98
Sacramento, CA 95814
http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/shd
What complaints can go to a State Hearing?
The following types of complaints can be heard at a State
Hearing if you are not satisfied with the county's response
to your complaint:
- Your application for child support has been denied or
has not been acted upon within the required timeframe.
- Your case has been acted upon and you believe the county
acted illegally.
- Child support payments were not given to you, you received
the wrong amount, or you don't agree with the past-due amount.
- The child support agency closed your child support case.
If needed, translation services and reasonable disability
assistance are available to you free of charge.
What issues cannot be heard at a State Hearing?
Some issues cannot be heard at a State Hearing:
- Court-ordered amounts of child support.
- Paternity.
- Child custody or visitation.
- Spousal support
- Contempt matters.
- Civil rights issues.
How to prepare for a State Hearing
The county Department of Child Support Services Ombudsperson
can help you request a State Hearing and prepare needed
documents. The following information would be helpful to prepare
for your case:
- Write a statement of the facts of your case.
- Bring copies of any information and papers, such as statements
and notices, that support your case.
- Prepare a list of witnesses and people who will speak
on your behalf at the hearing, if any.
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