Services Provided
The Child Support Unit provides the following Services:
Location of Parents
The Child Support Unit can assist Custodial Parents in finding where a non-custodial parent lives. Finding the location of the non-custodial parents is necessary to complete all other services provided by the Child Support Unit.
Paternity Establishment
The Child Support Unit can establish a legal Father/Child Relationship Duty of Support through Genetic Testing. In most cases this can be completed through the Administrative Process with no required court hearing.
Establishing Child and Medical Support Orders
Once paternity has been determined, the Child Support Unit will establish an order for support through either the administrative process or the judicial process. One or both parents may be ordered to pay support based upon the circumstances. The Ohio Child Support Guidelines will be used to calculate the amount of child support the non-custodial parent/Obligor will be ordered to pay. A parent may also be ordered to provide medical insurance and a cash medical payment in addition to the child support payment.
Enforcement of the Child and Medical Support Orders
The Child Support Unite is responsible for the enforcement of both administrative and court ordered child and medical support orders. The Child Support Unit will use all appropriate means available to enforce a child and medical support order. Enforcement methods can include but are not limited to, Income Withholding Orders, state and federal tax return intercept, suspension of Drivers, Professional, or recreational license, and bringing legal action against the non-custodial parent.
Interstate Enforcement
Interstate Child Support Cases are governed by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). This act provides the Child Support Unit the ability to assist parties in collecting child support when the non-custodial parent resides in another state.
Collection and Disbursement of Child Support Payments
The State of Ohio utilizes a central processing unit called the Ohio Child Support Payment Central (CSPC) to collect and disburse all child support payments. The Child Support Unit maintains records of all payments.
Administrative Review and Adjustment
Child support orders may be reviewed every 36 months at the request of one of the parties. Additional criteria may qualify your order for a review prior to the 36 months. To request a review, you can find the form, Request for and Administrative Review of the Child Support Order under our forms section.
Order Termination
There are several reasons a child support and medical support order may be terminated, including the emancipation of a child or a change in legal custody of a child. The Child Support Unit will investigate whether an order shall terminate upon the request of a party or through child support reports.
Individuals eligible for, receiving services from or benefiting from programs funded by or through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) are protected by various laws, regulations, rules, and policies against unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, political affiliation (food stamps only), age, sex, citizenship/ participant status (WIOA Programs only) and national origin. If you believe that you have been denied or delayed services for which you are eligible because of your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, political affiliation (food stamps only), disability or age, you must file your complaint within six months of the date on which the incident or treatment happened. You may call the Bureau of Civil Rights to submit your complaint, or you may submit your complaint in writing. If the complaint is submitted by telephone you can call (614) 644-2703 or Toll Free 1-866-227-6353.