Season 2 - Episode 4: We’re still here to help during the pandemic!

Riverside County Department of Child Support Services (RivCoDCSS) provides information regarding office operations during the COVID-19 pandemic during this episode. Nathan Hartel, Deputy Director, and Bruce Wagner, Chief Attorney kick off season 2 virtually because of the impact related to COVID-19. Our offices have closed to the public, and as of May 15th, our branches are now open for TouchPay Kiosk payments (4:00). Riverside, Indio, and Blythe allow 1-2 customers in the lobby for TouchPay Kiosk payments only. Despite our physical locations being closed to the public, our staff is available to assist you virtually anywhere (5:00).  Customers can contact us by phone, or by visiting our website and activating our LiveChat. Our staff is working remotely at full capacity to assist our customers with their child support needs. Our Chief Attorney, Bruce Wagner, mentions court closures that will remain closed for an undetermined point in time (6:28). There has also been a rise in different payment options such as; MoneyGram, PayNearMe, and PayPal (7:25). At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our office recognized the importance of communication with our customers and staff. As an agency, we realized that our approach to phone calls needed to change because of the current circumstances. Interactions with our customers are different, and instead of focusing on payments, our priority is their well-being (9:10). Our staff is reaching out to customers asking if they were impacted by COVID-19 in any way and how they can help. Deputy Director, Nathan Hartel, mentions enforcement remedies that have changed during the recent pandemic (10:45). There has been a more loosened approach to bank levies, and Driver's License suspensions that have all been directed by the State. Our department must abide by court order, and communicating your needs will help our staff remain informed of a change in circumstance (13:30). Modifications may still be requested if there has been a change in circumstance (15:00). Bruce also mentions how modifications are done while the courts remain closed (16:20). Court hearings are also mentioned, along with how to prepare (18:30). If you are on the calendar for a court date, our staff will contact you by telephone as long as contact information is up to date. Our staff will review your case with you over the phone. Please have financial information ready, an expense declaration filled out, and visitation information (21:20). Child Support currently still is garnishing 25% of unemployment income (22:48). What's next for our department is that customers can continue to receive excellent customer service virtually until the pandemic winds down. Our department is focused on new and innovative ways to serve our customers while the county aligns with office reopening guidelines (27:00). We want to encourage customers to continue reaching out to RivCoDCSS with any questions by phone, email, or on our LiveChat.  Riverside County Child Support  https://www.riversidechildsupport.com/  866-901-3212

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