FY 2022 User Fees for FPLS and CSENet
DCL-21-13
DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER
DCL-21-13
DATE: October 13, 2021
TO: State IV-D Directors
SUBJECT: FY 2022 User Fees for FPLS and CSENet
Dear Colleague:
States will soon receive the FY 2022 user fees that OCSE assesses for use of the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) and the Child Support Enforcement Network (CSENet). You will receive your state’s fee summaries for FY 2022 under separate cover.
FY 2022 FPLS and CSENet user fees will be assessed beginning October 1, 2021. These user fees are to be paid on a quarterly basis in equal installments. Using form OCSE-396, report your FPLS fee charge-back on line 10 and CSENet fee charge-back on line 11. You will continue to receive all fees in a consolidated bill. Fees will automatically be deducted from your state’s quarterly grant.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 authorizes OCSE to recover costs incurred in furnishing FPLS information. These fees recover only a portion of OCSE’s costs to operate, maintain, and upgrade the FPLS and implement new capabilities to support the mission of the child support enforcement program.
OCSE is projecting increased operations, maintenance, and technology modernization costs during FY 2022, resulting in fee increases for data matching partners, including state child support agencies.
In FY 2022, we will begin a multi-year modernization effort on our legacy mainframe applications. This effort will enhance the overall agility and efficiency of data and service delivery from the FPLS and its applications.
In addition, in early FY 2022, we’ll launch the new application that will allow electronic transmission of National Medical Support Notices to employers, as well as the new Communication Center functionality within the Child Support Portal. The states’ share of costs related to interstate telecommunications initiatives are included in the annual CSENet fee for which states will receive federal financial participation reimbursement at the 66% rate.
OCSE allocates FPLS and CSENet fees based on each state’s IV-D caseload average for the most recent six-year period as reported on its OCSE-157 report. Since all states can participate in FPLS services, CSENet, and other telecommunications systems, we weigh benefits in direct proportion to caseloads and allocate user fees accordingly.
If you have questions regarding fees, please contact Linda Boyer at 202-401-5410 or linda.boyer@acf.hhs.gov. Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of our nation’s children.
Sincerely,
Linda Boyer
Acting Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement