Establishing Support
I didn’t ask for child support, so why do I have to have it established?
State and federal laws mandate that the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) pursue child support for any child who receives medical or cash assistance from the State of Ohio.
I am married, but my husband is not the father. What can I do?
You, your husband, or the alleged father may request paternity testing from CSEA if there is not a court order naming a father.
Is there a charge for applying for CSEA services?
No
Does it cost to have genetic testing done?
No, unless ordered by the courts.
What can be done when an individual signs an affidavit as being the father, but is not the father?
Parties have 60 days from the date of signing an affidavit to sign a rescission to cancel it. If after 60 days a rescission has not been signed, either party has one year to file a motion with the court for paternity testing.
I am under 18 years old and have a baby. Can I apply for services?
A parent under 18 may apply but will need a legal guardian present to receive services.
All parties have had genetic testing. When will we know the results?
You may expect the results in four to six weeks. Results are sent to each party by mail.
Can the CSEA help change the baby’s last name?
If both parties agree, the child’s last name may be changed during the administrative hearing.
Who pays support when children are in foster care?
Both parents are typically ordered to pay.
When a child is under the care of foster parents, does the child support go directly to the foster parents?
No. It goes to the agency or State of Ohio if the foster parents are paid through the agency or state.
Are notary services available at the CSEA?
Yes. If you need a support document notarized, the CSEA provides the service at no cost.
Enforcement
What can I do to get my share of out-of-pocket medical expenses?
By state law, the CSEA cannot assist in this matter. The issue must be addressed privately in the court system.
Can the CSEA assist with custody or visitation?
No.
What is a processing fee?
It is a 2% fee charged on court-ordered payments, as established by Ohio law.
Can I be denied a passport?
If you owe more than $2,500 in past due child support, the U.S. State Department will refuse to issue a passport and may revoke, restrict, or limit a passport previously issued.
How can a driver’s license be suspended?
A warning letter is sent to an obligor who is not complying with a support order. If the obligor does not respond within 10 days, the license can be suspended.
How are income tax refunds intercepted?
Our computer system generates information to the IRS.
Why isn’t the tax refund credited to my support account after the CSEA received it?
Tax monies may be on hold for a variety of reasons. Please contact the CSEA in person. We cannot discuss IRS information over the phone.
Payments
Once money has been withheld from the obligor’s paycheck, when will I get my money?
The employer has seven business days to send in the payments. After the payment is received, it is processed within two business days.
What if I need my E-QuickPay Card replaced?
Call one of the numbers on the back of the card: 800-503-1283 or 888-965-2676
Interstate Actions
What if I have a case with more than one order in different states?
Contact your local CSEA. A review of all orders will be conducted and a controlling order will be determined.
Can I get a child support order modified when one or both parties no longer live in the state that issued the order?
Either party can seek a modification of an order issued in another state. Procedures vary by case. Contact the CSEA for more information.
How do I get my child support order enforced if one or both parties no longer live in the state that issued the order?
Enforcement action may include (but is not limited to) the issuance of an income withholding order or administrative and legal action for noncompliance. When an income source is located for an obligor who resides in another state, the state that issued the support order may send a direct income withholding order to this source. If it becomes necessary to take administrative or legal action against the obligor, the obligee may either work directly with the state that issued the support order or contact his or her local CSEA to initiate action with the CSEA in the obligor’s state of residence.
Do I have to use the services of the child support agency that issued my order?
The obligee may choose to work with his or her local CSEA or work directly with the state that issued the order. To avoid confusion, the obligee should choose one or the other—not both. Some states will only communicate directly with the initiating state if the obligee chooses to apply for child support services with the local CSEA.
How long will services take if we work with another state?
This varies depending on what action is necessary. If an interstate request is made for enforcement of another state’s order—and legal action is needed—it may take several months for the case to reach court. Your local CSEA will closely monitor the status to assure timely action is taken.
I have been served to appear at a hearing in another state. Am I required to appear in person?
Some states allow testimony by telephone. This pertains to administrative hearings held at the CSEA as well. If you are scheduled to appear at an out-of-state hearing, please contact the CSEA as to whether telephone testimony is permitted.
I disagree with the outcome of the hearing results rendered by another state. How do I object?
If you dispute the amount of support ordered or have another issue, an appeal may be possible. You must communicate concerns immediately to the CSEA. There are time limits to filing an objection.
My out-of-state order permits standard visitation. I have now moved to Ohio and am being denied visitation. Can the CSEA help me?
Visitation issues cannot be addressed by the CSEA in interstate actions and are not a defense for non-payment of support.
Modifying Orders
I am the custodial parent. Why is my income used in determining support?
According to the Ohio Guidelines Calculations (ORC 3119.05), both parties’ incomes must be used to calculate the amount of support to be paid.
Is my current spouse/significant other’s income used?
No. Only the incomes of the mother and the father of the child are used.
My child is receiving Social Security benefits from a parent’s disability. Do I still have to pay child support?
First, you need to ask for a review and adjustment. If it is found that the child is receiving more in Social Security benefits than what the court would order, you would not be ordered to pay support. If you owe arrears, you would be required to pay that.
However, if it is found the child is not receiving more than what would be ordered by the court, you would be ordered to pay support. If you owe arrears, you also would be required to pay that.
How long does the review and adjustment process take?
Approximately three to six months, depending upon request for administrative and/or court hearings.
Terminating Orders
How long is the termination process?
About three to six months.
I now have custody. Will my support order stop?
No. A court order is needed for a legal custody change. Otherwise, support will continue. Take a copy of the custody order to the CSEA.
Why did payments to me stop when the child is still in my home?
This is to prevent an overpayment. A motion to impound (hold) payments is filed with the court. Once the termination process is completed, any held money will be distributed.
My support order has been terminated and there is no balance. Why is money still deducted?
Until a final order is filed with the court, the deduction must continue.
Why is my current arrears payment larger than what it was before support ended?
If an individual was paying on arrears prior to terminating support, the amount paid on that arrearage is added to the amount that was paid monthly for support. This process is mandated by the State of Ohio and provides for a quicker repayment of the money that is owed.
How can emancipation/termination affect my wage withholding?
If an arrearage exists at the time of emancipation, the deduction will remain the same until all arrears are paid in full. When all monies owed have been paid, the CSEA will end the wage withholding.
