CSRU is a JOKE!!!

by Renee
(Clinton, Iowa)

This is by no means bashing non-custodial parents. Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU) handles my child support case. And they are a joke. My ex husband and I split up when I was pregnant with our second child. I had to go on welfare for a few months, which supposedly "by law" CSRU had to take over the court order for child support. When I had my second child in September of 98, I right away filled out paperwork for CSRU to add our second child to current case? Their response was "we have to investigate it". I supplied them with all they asked for documentation including a paternity test my ex asked for. Every month I called to get an update on the investigation. Finally in August of 2001, they added my child, upped the support, and told me child support would only go back to when the caseworker opened the case. I later found out, this so-called caseworker had had my case file on her desk for 28 months before opening a case for it. The system claims they can do nothing about it due to CSRU abundance of cases and not enough caseworkers. Well, this is what I find a big fat joke. I received welfare for a total of 5 months. I now work my ass off to provide my children with everything they need and want. Their father pays his support nothing more and hasn't seen the children for well over 3 yrs. I believe during the time CSRU was "investigating” my case, he owes child support. At this point I am able to provide very well for my kids, so it would be a nice help with the college funds I have set up. My advice to anyone is receiving help from any CSRU- Back out now. Do not use their services. They are of no help, and will never be. There are other agencies out there that can help and do a better job.