Focus on Customer Service Key to Higher Collections

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- In fiscal year 2004, Oklahoma’s Child Support Enforcement, with the help of district attorney offices, community action programs and law enforcement personnel across the state, collected more than $176 million in unpaid child support — a seven percent increase over fiscal year 2003 collections and a 48 percent increase from five years ago.

“One of the keys to our success in ensuring that Oklahoma’s children receive the support they deserve is our relentless focus on customer service,” said Gary Dart, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Support Enforcement Division director. “The latest step in promoting quality customer service is the elimination of the $25 application fee for initiating child support services.”

Effective July 1, 2004, OKDHS no longer requires parents who are applying for services through the Child Support Enforcement Division to pay a $25 application fee. The elimination of this fee makes it easier to apply for services by removing the last remaining financial barrier to custodial parents.

“Let’s face it, $25 may not be much to some people, but when you’re raising children without the financial support of another parent, $25 is a lot of money,” Dart said. “That could buy a new pair of shoes or some school supplies.

“Eliminating the application fee is common sense customer service and another reason why Oklahoma is a national leader in making sure children are provided for.”

For more information on child support, contact the Child Support Enforcement Customer Service Call Center toll free at 1-800-522-2922, or click on www.okdhs.org/childsupport.

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