LCO Child Support | April 6, 2019
Tags:  FAQs | LCO Child Support Program

LCO Child Support Program Commonly Asked Questions

LCO Child Support Program Common Questions and Concerns

Many parents have questions about child support.  Child support is an important aspect of a child’s upbringing, so it’s essential that you understand how child support laws work. Some commonly asked child support questions are:

My case has been with the county for so long, why is it transferring now?

Since going comprehensive in November 30th of 2012, the LCO Child Support Program has begun to actively transfer all eligible cases from the Sawyer County Child Support Agency.  First and foremost, it is an exercise and affirmation of the tribe’s sovereignty to work its own child support cases involving its members.

Even through Wisconsin has concurrent jurisdiction under Public Law 280, there are still many reasons why a tribe would want to handle its members’ and residents’ child support cases.  First, it will be more practical and convenient for reservation residents to be able to access a tribal child support office. Second, child support deals with families. Tribal families are often culturally unique.  A tribal child support agency will have a better understanding of cultural issues that may be associated with paternity and child support. Finally, for purposes of enforcement, tribal child support agencies are more familiar with tribal law and have the ability to be more successful enforcing wage assignments, garnishments, and contempt orders as needed.

Will my order change when it transfers?

No.  Your monetary order will come over as is from the Sawyer County Child Support Agency and will remain in effect.  If your case comes over at a time when a review should be done, your Child Support Specialist will take necessary steps to ensure a proper review of your case is completed.  As with the county, a party can choose to request a review of your case at any time. Your Child Support Specialist will take in all considerations when a review is requested.

Will I receive payments on my Wisconsin State Child Support Debit Card?

No.  The LCO Child Support Program does not use the Wisconsin KIDS system State Disbursement Unit (SDU).  Support payments will no longer be received on your State of WI EPPIC MasterCard or via direct deposit to your financial institution.  We advise that you keep your card for at least two months after your case transfers to allow for any money that may be collected through the state to still be deposited to your card.

How will I receive my payments?

You will now receive support payments on your smiONE™ Tribal Debit Card; which will be mailed to you at the most current address on file upon case transfer.  When your case transfers you will receive a pamphlet with more information about the debit card and all of the services it offers.  It is your responsibility to contact our office and provide us with your most current address and contact information. This will ensure prompt delivery of your payments and allow for timely communication from the LCO Child Support Program office.

Will I start receiving Non-Cash Support in lieu of cash support when my case is transferred to the tribe?

No.  A common misconception form the community is when your case transfers that you will start receiving firewood, fish, or other goods and services in lieu of cash support.  If you are or should be expecting to receive cash child support based on your order that transfers, then that is what our program will enforce. Non-Cash Support can only be used if it is agreed upon by both parties; there has to be a dollar amount assigned; and the order must be signed by the Tribal Court Judge.

The other party or myself have family members or close friends that either work at the LCO Tribal Office, or in the LCO Child Support Office.  Is this a conflict of interest?

No.  List most State and County Child Support Agencies, staff may have family members within office caseloads.  Staff members are prohibited from working child support cases where they may have a personal interest. Personal interests may include, but not limited to, cases involving family members or close friends.  It is upon the Child Support Specialist and Child Support Directors discretion of a case assigned is appropriate. To address the concerns of family members or close families within the Tribal Office please refer to the next question.

Is my case confidential?

Yes.  Our staff is bound not only by the Lac Courte Oreilles Governmental Personnel Policy regulations and the LCO Child Support Program Policy, but also by the Wisconsin State and Federal Guidelines.  Our office is secure and closely monitored by the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement. Child Support disclosures to case participants or to other individuals for any purpose related to the administration of the program are permitted under Wis. Stat. 49.83, unless such disclosure is specifically prohibited by state or federal law, or privacy protection restrictions.  For example, information disclosed while conducting a child support investigation, locating a parent, establishing paternity, communication with employers, or requesting information from other persons under Wis Stat. 49.22(2m)(a), as necessary for child support purposes, would constitute authorized disclosures. Disclosures to participants, as necessary to explain distribution of child support funds or the legal basis for assignment of support, may be appropriate as long as the disclosure is limited to providing the information necessary for child support program administration and such disclosure is not otherwise prohibited by privacy protection, or other state or federal law.  Designated agencies that may require communication in order to run effective programming based on their rules, laws and regulations are Title IV-A (TANF), Title IV-E (Foster Care, Kinship Care), Title IV-B (Child Protective Services), Title XIX (Medicaid), Title XXI (SCHIP/certain BadgerCare) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/formerly Food Stamps (SNAP).

For any additional questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact the LCO Child Support Program, or schedule an appointment with your Child Support Specialist.  

LCO Child Support Program
13394 W Trepania Road
Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 634-8934
www.lcochildsupport.com

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