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FAQ (Frequently Asked
Questions)
Getting Started
I didn’t
ask for it, why do I have to have child support established?
State and
federal laws mandate the CSEA pursue child support for any
child receiving medical or cash assistance from the State of
Ohio.
I am
married and my husband is not the father, what can I do?
You, your
husband, or the alleged father can request services from
CSEA for paternity testing if there is not a court order
naming a father.
Is there a
charge for applying for services?
No.
Does it
cost to have genetic testing done?
No, unless
ordered by the courts.
He signed
an
affidavit but he is not the father, what can I do?
Parties
have 60 days from the date of signing the affidavit to sign a
rescission (to cancel). If after 60 days a rescission has not
been signed, either party has 1 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 the age of 18 may sign up for services 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 4 to 6 weeks. Results are sent to
each party by mail.
Can the
CSEA help change the baby’s last name?
If both
parties are in agreement, the child’s last name may be
changed during the administrative hearing.
Does the
child support go 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.
Who pays
when children are in foster care?
Both
parents are typically ordered to pay.
Are notary
services available at the CSEA?
Yes, if you
need a support document notarized, the CSEA can provide the
service at no cost.
Enforcement
What can I
do to get my share of the 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. The
CSEA does not help with these issues.
What is a
processing fee?
A 2% fee
charged on court-ordered payments. The fee is established by
Ohio law.
Can I be
denied a passport?
If you owe
more than $2,500.00 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 is a
driver’s license suspended?
A warning
letter is sent to the obligor. If no response is received
from the obligor 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 account after the CSEA
received it?
Tax monies
may be on hold for a variety of reasons. Please contact the
CSEA in person for your case information. 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 7 business days to send in the payments. After
CSPC has received payment, it is processed within 2 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
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
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. There are different procedures based on the
individual 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) both the issuance
of an income withholding order or administrative and legal
action for non compliance. If 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/legal action against the obligor, the
obligee may either work directly with the state that issued
the support order or contact their 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 their local CSEA or work directly
with the state that issued the order. To avoid confusion,
the obligee should choose one or the other and not both.
Some states will only communicate directly with the
initiating state if the obligee chooses to apply for child
support services with their local CSEA.
How long
will it take for services 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, it
may take several months to get this case into court if legal
action is required. Your local CSEA will closely monitor
the status of their request for action to assure timely
action is taken.
I have been
served to appear at a hearing in another state, am I
required to travel and appear for this hearing?
Some states
allow the ability to participate in a hearing through
telephone testimony. 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
for more details as to whether you are permitted to provide
telephone testimony.
I disagree
with the outcome of the hearing results rendered by another
state, how do I object?
If there is
a dispute in the amount of support ordered or other issue,
an appeal may be possible. You must communicate concerns
immediately to the CSEA as 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 to non-payment of support.
Review and
Adjustment
As the
custodial parent, why do you use my income?
According
to the Ohio Guidelines Calculations (ORC3119.05), both
parties’ incomes must be used in calculating 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(ren)
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(ren) are receiving more in Social
Security benefits than what the Court would order, the
answer is “No”, you would not be ordered to pay support. If
you owe arrears, you would still have an arrears payment.
Second, if
it is found the child(ren) are not receiving more than what
would be ordered by the Court, then “Yes”, you would still
be ordered to pay support. If you owe arrears, you would
still have an arrears payment.
How long
does the Review and Adjustment process take?
Approximately 3-6 months depending upon request for
administrative and/or court hearings.
Termination/ Ending
Orders
How long is
the termination process?
Approximately 3- 6 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 effect 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.
CSEA Home Page |
Getting Started |
Parents as Partners |
Enforcement |
Payments |
Interstate Actions |
Review and Adjustment |
Termination/Ending Orders
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