I receive child support through the Florida Disbursement Unit. My ex-husband's pay through the Virginia Department of Corrections is directly garnished and payment is automatically sent. I had to mail them the court order to have this done because the Florida Child Support Enforcement only seems to help those who have absolutely no income or who have "strings" they can pull.
December 17th, I should have received a child support payment from the Florida Disbursement Unit. I waited a week because I knew the holidays might interrupt the mail or processing. I called the Virginia DOC to make sure the payment was sent on time and they assured me it was sent as usual on December 14th. I then called the FL Disbursement Unit to advise them that my payment must be lost. They lady's name was Laquesha (sp?). She was rude, very unapologetic, and curt while explaining to me that I had to get my ex (who obviously doesn't care) to call her to tell her he paid his support in order for them to do anything about it. I explained to her that he would not be cooperative and help in this matter and she said, "Oh well"."That's all you can do". I then called and emailed the VDOC again and explained the problem to them. The NICE lady with them was kind enough to return my call and email me copies of the processed and deposited checks showing that the FLDU had received my check on December 18th and had cashed it! I called the Disbursment unit again and was told by another rude employee that the only way they would help me is if the person from VDOC called the FLSDU personally to tell them the FLSDU received and cashed the check. I asked the rude lady if she could call the VDOC lady herself directly and she said, "no ma'am, that's not my responsibility" "YOU have to get them to call US the same way you called me". I also asked if I could forward the email with the checks attached and she again said, "no". She offered no other option or apology. I emailed VDOC back and asked her to please call these people. The following is her email to me regarding her interaction with them:
"Good afternoon, Yes maam. They are very rude. I called the number you gave me and after being on hold for 13 minutes I was told that was the custodial parent inquiry number and she blurred off the employer inquiry number. I called & was on hold 14 minutes and the young lady (Laquesha) asked for his social security number. This information is not on his child support orders so I had to look it up. Do you know she asked how long it would take for me find it? Once I told her, Not as long as the 14 minutes I was on hold waiting for someone there to take my call. She then changed her tune and was helpful. She requested the cleared check information, his name, SS#, case # and for me in writing to request the following check post to his account. Absolutely amazing. Im keeping my fingers crossed for a resolution and that we never have to go through this again with them."
It's Christmas time. I now have $2.58 in my checking account and another check should be sent to me this coming Monday. I will be really in trouble finacially if this next check gets "lost" as well! Is it fair that the burden is on VDOC and me to prove to the FLDU that they cashed my check and didn't give it to me? I have worked every day since I was 15 years old, and I still do. I pay taxes (FLSDU PAYCHECKS) and can not get any help from them. This department is a disgrace and should be repremanded. I was a state employee for 15 years. I worked my butt off in a close security prison as a guard and NEVER treated the inmates or their families the way the people at the disbursement unit treated me or the nice VDOC lady who was nice enough to help me. I hate to get people in trouble but I really need that money. Thanks to this mix up I can't take my son to the movies as I promised or buy gas to go visit my family for the holidays. Very sad and very broke.
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