Oklahoma Child Support Services: FIDM Methods and Calendar

Financial Institution Data Match; (FIDM) Instructions

The data matches are done by either of the following two methods using data specifications approved by the United States Office of Management and Budget.

Under Method 1 (all accounts method) the financial institution submits a file containing all open accounts which is matched against records of delinquent obligors.

Under Method 2 the financial institution receives a file containing records of delinquent obligors, matches the files against all open accounts, and submits a file of matched records.

CSS is required to enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business in Oklahoma to conduct a quarterly data match. This includes Multistate Financial Institutions (MSFIs) who opt out of the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) process in favor of participating in the Oklahoma FIDM process. A copy of the agreement form may be obtained from CSS.

To minimize the cost of filing and processing account information, CSS has joined an existing consortium of states called the Interstate Data Exchange Consortium (IDEC). IDEC uses the services of Informatix, Inc. to manage the FIDM process.

Financial institutions may use any of the following media to transfer data: Connect:Direct; FTP File Transfer, secure internet website; or CD ROM.  (If you need any other media type, please contact the Interstate Data Exchange Consortium representative for assistance.)

Financial institutions may contact Informatix, Inc for more information about electronic files and data:

FIDM Processing Timeline

Informatix operates the data match on a quarterly cycle:

• January – March
• April – June
• July – September
• October – December

Each quarter consists of 12 weeks during which the financial institutions can send in their Method 1 file or perform the match and return the file to Informatix. If the financial institution is Method 2, they will receive the obligor file for matching on the scheduled week of their choice. Method 1 financial institutions have the flexibility to choose which week to send their “all accounts” file.

On the first day of each quarter (January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, October 1st), Informatix merges all inquiry files received from member states and begins creating files to send to Financial Institutions (FIs) and Service Providers (SPs) who process using Method Two (matched accounts). As updates from the states are received throughout the quarter, Informatix will generate new Inquiry files for financial institutions electing to match later in the quarter.

Reminder emails will be sent to the financial institutions, (both Method 1 and Method 2) the Monday of their scheduled week to ensure on-time filing. Inquiry files are sent out to Method 2 financial institutions that have elected to receive physical media on their scheduled week. The Inquiry file will be made available on the IDEC website for financial institutions to download.

Informatix can receive files from the financial institutions throughout the quarter up until the very last day of each quarter. As files are received they are processed within 48 hours. Results are sent to the IDEC states weekly, monthly or quarterly as determined by each state.