State child support office closing in Kissimmee

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — In just one week state budget cuts could create a major inconvenience for parents in Osceola County. The only state child support office in the county will be closing for good.

The Kissimmee office on U.S.-192 had a steady stream of traffic on Friday. Most parents told WFTV it will be a major inconvenience for them to lose the office close to home.

"It's easy. Anytime you can just stop by. Because sometimes they ask you so many questions, so many papers, you have to come all the time. I don't think it's a good idea," said one woman who wanted to remain anonymous. "It's a shock for me right now, but I can't stop them from doing whatever they want to do."

Many of the parents WFTV spoke to say they didn't even know the office would be closing next Friday so there will likely be plenty more surprised to find these doors locked the week after.

WFTV calculated the miles between the closing office and downtown Orlando. Parents will have to travel more than 25 miles to get their business done.

Making matters worse, many of the parents who use the office don't have cars so public transportation is their least expensive option.

The trip from Kissimmee costs about $8 round trip and takes four hours of bus travel.

Either way it's an expense that takes money from the children the child support is meant to help.

The office in Sanford will also be closing. The two offices combined handle about 3,000 clients per month.

The Orlando office will handle cases from both counties starting Oct.1.

WFTV