Case Establishment
Child Support Guidelines
Enforcement
Interstate Situations
Payment Information

Case Establishment Questions

1. Who can get help from a Child Support Enforcement Agency?
2. Where do I go to apply for services?
3. What services are offered by the CSEA?
4. Why is it important to establish paternity?
5. How and where can paternity be established?
6. The father of my child does not live in Ohio. Can I establish paternity and get a support order?
7. What if I don't know where the father of my child lives?
8. Will the CSEA enforce spousal support (alimony) only cases?
9. Can the CSEA assist me with visitation and custody issues?
10. I know if I am currently receiving OWF assistance I must provide information to help identify and locate the non-residential parent, but what if I feel threatened that harm will come to me or my child if I do?
11. If the non-residential parent is sending me money directly, does that count as child support?
12. What if a health insurance company denies an application for health insurance?
13. What do I do if I have completed the paternity affidavit but I now think I am not the dad?

Child Support Guidelines Questions

1. What are the child support guidelines?
2. Are the earnings of both parents considered in setting support?
3. Are there any adjustments allowed for second families in the guidelines?
4. Do the guidelines allow for an adjustment for the parent who is paying for child care?
5. Is there any allowance for the parent who has to pay health insurance?

Enforcement Questions

1. What does it mean to be in "default" of a child support order and what can happen to me if I go into default?
2. What if I don't agree that I am in default? Do I have appeal rights?
3. My ex-spouse collects Social Security Disability-Can income withholding occur on that check?
4. My ex-spouse changes jobs frequently. This keeps me from receiving regular payments. What can be done?
5. I am on Unemployment Compensation. Is there a limit on the amount that can be take out for child support?
6. Can I get support from a non-residential parent who is in jail or prison?
7. What do I do when children have emancipated and there are arrears left owing?
8. Can the CSEA collect for support if the non- residential parent is in the military?

Interstate Situations

1. What if the non-residential parent cannot be found locally?
2. I've heard there is a law called UIFSA. What does this law do?
3. I now live in Ohio but my case started in Michigan. Do I have to open a new case in Ohio?
4. I know where my ex-spouse works in another state. How can I get an income withholding?
5. I was divorced in Ohio but then moved to Tennessee. My ex-spouse moved to Florida and another order was established. Can I enforce both orders?
6. I live in Ohio, but my ex-spouse lives in Nebraska. Can my California support order be modified?
7. My ex-spouse lives in Oregon and is self employed. What can I do to obtain support?
8. The CSEA here in Ohio has been trying to enforce my order for years but every time they find him and get an income withholding in place, he moves to another state. Is there anything else I can do?
9. My ex-spouse paid support regularly until last month and then he moved to Europe. Is there anything I can do to get my order enforced?

Payment Information

1. What is arrearage?
2. The IVR and/or the Web Payment Status Page information indicates I received a payment on my case. Why haven't I received that payment yet?
3. I should have received two payments on the same day. Why is only one reported on the IVR and/or the Web Payment Status Page?
4. The IVR and/or the Web Payment Status Page indicates a payment yesterday. When can I expect a check?

Case Establishment Questions & Answers

1. Q. Who can get help from a Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA)?
   
   A. Anyone receiving public benefits receives free child support services and is required to cooperate with the CSEA in establishing paternity and collecting child support. Families that do not get public benefits can apply for services with a written application. Some county CSEAs charge a $1.00 application fee, other CSEAs pay the fee for the applicant.
   
   

2. Q. Where do I go to apply for services?
   
   A. You apply at your local CSEA in the county where you live.
   
   

3. Q. What services are offered by the CSEA?
   
   A. Please click on Applying For & Receiving Services.
   
   

4. Q. Why is it important to establish paternity?
   
   A. Children have the right to support from both parents. This is true even when the parents are not married to one another. If the parents of a child were not married when the child was born, they need to establish paternity. To establish paternity is to establish fatherhood--to legally name a child's father. Establishing paternity truly benefits a child. Establishing fatherhood is important to a child's sense of self. Every child should know who his or her father is. Establishing fatherhood makes it easier to find out about medical problems that may run in the family. And only a legal father can put his child on his health insurance policy, and get health care for his child in an emergency. Establishing fatherhood makes it easier for the child to obtain help from the father's Social Security or veteran's benefits, or from an inheritance if the father becomes disabled or dies. In addition, establishing paternity is a prerequisite for establishing a child support order.
   
   

5. Q. How and where can paternity be established?
   
   A. Paternity can be established in the following ways. The first is through the voluntary acknowledgment process where a form known as an "Acknowledgment of Paternity Affidavit" is completed. It can be filled out at the hospital when your child is born, before both parents leave the hospital. It can also be completed at the CSEA or your local Vital Statistics Registar (usually associated with your local health department). If a case is contested or if there is some doubt as to the fatherhood of the child, either parent may request that the CSEA conduct genetic testing to determine the father of the child. The CSEA will then order all parties to submit to genetic testing and will issue an administrative paternity order based on the outcome of the genetic test. For a paternity order to be established, the test must show at least a 99% probability of fatherhood. If either party fails to submit to the test or fails to submit the child for genetic testing, and this is a public assistance case, the CSEA shall refer the case to court.
   
   

6. Q. The father of my child does not live in Ohio. Can I establish paternity and get a support order?
   
   A. Yes. Your local CSEA can help you establish paternity and get a support order, regardless of where the father lives. In some cases, this can even be done if he lives in another country.
   
   

7. Q. What if I don't know where the father of my child lives?
   
   A. Your local CSEA has many resources which can be used to locate the father of your child. These resources can also be used to locate his employment and any assets he may have.
   
   

8. Q. Will the CSEA enforce spousal support (previously referred to as alimony) only cases?
   
   A. Yes, although in more limited ways than if it was attached to a child support order.
   
   

9. Q. Can the CSEA assist me with visitation and custody issues?
   
   A. For all visitation issues, you must consult with a private attorney. Custody issues can not be addressed by the CSEA.
   
   

10. Q. I know if I am currently receiving OWF assistance, I must provide information to help identify and locate the non-residential parent, but what if I feel threatened that harm will come to me or my child if I do?
    
    A. The CSEA can allow the caretaker of the child to claim "good cause" for not establishing an order, if such action may cause physical or emotional harm. The claim has to be verified with evidence from a court, medical office, child protective services agency, social services agency or other credible authority. For more information about "good cause" please contact your local CSEA.
    
    

11. Q. If the non-residential parent is sending me money directly, does that count as child support?
    
    A. No. Those payments are considered gifts.
    
    

12. Q. What if a health insurance company denies an application for health insurance?
    
    A. Assuming paternity and/or support has been established, state law says that no health insurer can deny enrollment of a child in the parent's plan based on the fact that the child: was born out of wedlock, is not claimed as a dependent on the federal tax return of the parent, or does not reside with the parent, regardless of the enrollment period. If an insurer fails to comply with these provisions, the failure can be reported to the Ohio Department of Insurance.
    
    

13. Q. What do I do if I have completed the paternity affidavit but I now think I am not the dad?
    
    A. You need to contact the CSEA in the county where the mom resides to sign a rescission document as long as it has been 60 days or less since the affidavit has been signed. If more than 60 days but less than one year has passed since signing, you should contact a private attorney.

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Child Support Guidelines Questions & Answers

1. Q. What are the child support guidelines?
   
   A. The Child Support Guidelines are guidelines passed by the Ohio legislature which calculate child support orders based upon the financial circumstances of both parents. Use of these guidelines is required for the establishment or modification of all child support orders in Ohio. The amount of child support which is calculated using the worksheets and schedules contained in these guidelines is presumed under the law to be the correct amount of child support in each case.
   
   

2. Q. Are the earnings of both parents considered in setting support?
   
   A. Yes.
   
   

3. Q. Are there any adjustments allowed for second families in the guidelines?
   
   A. Yes. The guidelines allow an adjustment equal to the federal tax exemption for each child who is your biological child from another relationship, as long as the child is living with you. If you are the custodial parent of a child, your adjustment will factor in any child support received for that child.
   
   

4. Q. Do the guidelines allow an adjustment for the parent who is paying for child care?
   
   A. Yes. The guidelines provide a credit for child care expenses for those children included in the order, relating to work, employment training or education.
   
   

5. Q. Is there any allowance for the parent who has to pay health insurance?
   
   A. Yes. The guidelines provide a credit for marginal, out-of-pocket costs of health insurance which will therefore affect the amount of the order.

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Enforcement Questions & Answers

1. Q. What does it mean to be "in default" of a child support order and what can happen to me if I go into default?
   
   A. If you get behind at least one full month in child support payments, you are in default. You will be sent a form outlining the enforcement remedies that may be taken to remedy the default.
   
   

2. Q. What if I don't agree that I am in default? Do I have appeal rights?
   
   A. You are only entitled to request an administrative hearing to decide if the arrearage amount is correct and if you are the correct person who owes the money. If you disagree with the administrative hearing decision, you may file for a court hearing.
   
   

3. Q. My ex-spouse collects Social Security Disability. Can income withholding occur on that check?
   
   A. Yes, there can be income withholding for Social Security Disability and Social Security Retirement benefits. There cannot be a withholding for SSI because those benefits are a form of public assistance.
   
   

4. Q. My ex-spouse changes jobs frequently. This keeps me from receiving regular payments. What can be done?
   
   A. The law requires the non-residential parent to notify the CSEA when a change in employment occurs. Even if he/she doesn't, the employment or assets are reported through the New Hire Reporting Program. Employers must report all their new hires in 20 days; therefore it is now easier for the CSEAs to find out about the non-residential parent's change of employment and new employer.
   
   

5. Q. I am on Unemployment Compensation. Is there a limit on the amount that can be taken out for child support?
   
   A. Yes. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Unemployment Compensation can only deduct up to 50% of the non-residential parent's unemployment benefits to pay the child support. If the unemployment compensation benefits are insufficient to meet the entire obligation, arrears will accrue on the order.
   
   

6. Q. Can I get support from a non-residential parent who is in jail or in prison?
   
   A. Yes. Income withholding is allowed from prison earnings. In addition, support will continue to accrue during the period of incarceration. Please contact your local CSEA.
   
   

7. Q. What do I do when children have emancipated and there is still money owed?
   
   A. Emancipation does not terminate arrears. You should contact your CSEA so that they may review your individual circumstances.
   
   

8. Q. Can the CSEA collect for support if the non-residential parent is in the military?
   
   A. Yes. The local CSEA can take steps to do a withholding through the military system. Please contact your local CSEA.

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Interstate Situations

1. Q. What if the non-residential parent cannot be found locally?
   
   A. Your local CSEA will use the Ohio Parent Locator Service (OPLS) to search. Your local CSEA can use information from the National Directory of New Hires, the Financial Institution Data Match, and the Federal Case Registry to assisting in locating the non-residential parent. All of these matches have as a first step a Social Security Number verification. Your local CSEA can access various sources to search for the person. If the non-residential parent is out of state, the CSEA can request another state to search. It is becoming harder for non-paying parents to hide from their child support obligations and the agencies that enforce them. The CSEA can also request location through the Federal Parent Locator System (FPLS), Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM), National Directory of New Hires (NDNH), and the Federal Case Registry (FCR). All of these matches have as a first step a Social Security Number verification.
   
   

2. Q. I've heard there is a law called UIFSA. What does this law do?
   
   A. UIFSA (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act) is a law regulating the establishment and enforcement of child support orders where the parents live in different states or where the support order is in a state other than where either of the parents live.
   
   

3. Q. I now live in Ohio but my case started in Michigan. Do I have to open a new case in Ohio?
   
   A. No. If you choose, you may simply continue to work with the child support authorities in Michigan.
   
   

4. Q. I know where my ex-spouse works in another state. How can I get an income withholding?
   
   A. Your CSEA can explain the two ways this can be done. They may choose to simply send a withholding order directly to an employer anywhere in the country. If needed, they may also choose to register your support order for enforcement, only in the state where he works.
   
   

5. Q. I was divorced in Ohio but then moved to Tennessee. My ex-spouse moved to Florida and another order was established. Can I enforce both orders?
   
   A. The UIFSA law requires the determining of one "Controlling Order." See the Determining a Controlling Order part of the Interstate section for a description of the rules for choosing this order. Once that order is determined, it is the only order that can be enforced or modified.
   
   

6. Q. I live in Ohio, but my ex-spouse lives in Nebraska. Can my California support order be modified?
   
   A. Yes. Please ask your CSEA to help you. They can register your California support order in Nebraska, which is where the modification will occur. Your order can also be enforced there.
   
   

7. Q. My ex-spouse lives in Oregon and is self employed. What can I do to obtain support?
   
   A. Your CSEA can register your support order in Oregon for enforcement. The child support agency in Oregon will then be able to use all the enforcement tools available under its state law to collect your support.
   
   

8. Q. The CSEA here in Ohio has been trying to enforce my child support order for years but every time they find him and get an income withholding in place, he moves to another state. Is there anything else I can do?
   
   A. Your case may qualify for federal prosecution under the Child Support Recovery Act of 1992 or other federal law. You should discuss this possibility with your CSEA.
   
   

9. Q. My ex-spouse paid support regularly until last month and then he moved to Europe. Is there anything I can do to get my order enforced?
   
   A. Ohio has reciprocal agreements with several European countries, most Canadian provinces and certain other foreign countries. Some countries may also be able to assist you with enforcement, even though no formal reciprocal arrangements exist. Your CSEA can tell you what kind of help may be possible in your individual case. For a list of international child support addresses and phone contacts, please click on International Contact Information.

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Payment Information

1. Q. What is arrearage?
   
   A. Arrearage is the amount of child support that is past due when payments are not kept up in accordance with a mandated order.
   
   

2. Q.The IVR and/or the Web Payment Status Page information indicates I received a payment on my case. Why haven't I received that payment yet?
   
   A. There could be several reasons you have not yet received your money.
   

   1. There may be a court order advising the agency to not release the money.
   2. The money was paid for past arrearages owed to the Ohio Department of Job and Family services for past public assistance.
   3. . The payment may be a joint IRS payment and those are held automatically for six months in case an injured spouse claim is filed.
   4. The agency may have your address as invalid.

   Please contact your county CSEA to determine which of these is your situation.
   
   

3. Q.I should have received two payments on the same day. Why is only one reported on the IVR and/or the Web Payment Status Page?
   
   A. Our system can only display the last payment received.
   
   

4. Q.The IVR and/or the Web Payment Status Page indicates a payment yesterday. When can I expect a check?
   
   A. Payments are mailed within two business days after they are posted by Child Support Payment Central (CSPC). Please remember weekends and holidays are not business days. Your actual receipt of your payment may also be affected by the delivery time of the US Postal Service.
   If you receive your payment via EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer), check with your local financial institution for their internal time frames for depositing the payment into your account.