Case Closure

The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) closes cases once specific federal criteria are met.

O.C.G.A. §§ 48-3-23.1, 50-16-18
State Accounting Office Policy and Procedure

42 CFR §§ 433.146, 433.147
45 CFR §§ 302.31, 302.33, 302.35, 302.70, 303.5, 303.7, 303.11
OCSS-AT-93-03
OCSS-AT-89-15

All Georgia child support offices receiving Title IV-D funds, including all private vendors contracted with the Department of Human Services to provide child support services.

DCSS performs routine manual and system driven reviews of all cases to identify when a case may be eligible for case closure. Cases must meet federal case closure standards and criteria set forth in federal regulations before case closure steps are initiated. A 60-day advance notice of the State’s intent to close a case is provided to customers and the Division of Family and Children Services when applicable.

The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) revised the federal case closure regulations to increase program flexibility, effectiveness, and efficiency. The goal of these changes is to direct resources for cases where collections are possible and to ensure that families have more control over whether to receive child support services.