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Drivers' License Suspension

  • The CSEA can suspend a driver’s license when there is an active child support order and the obligor is in default
  • There must be an on-going court order or an order on arrears (back owed support)
  • There is no active wage withholding order in place—only voluntary payments
  • An obligor will be given a notice regarding the driver’s license suspension if a payment is not made
  • You will be responsible to make a payment to the CSEA in order to stop your driver’s license from being suspended
  • You may have to pay a reinstatement fee at the BMV after you pay the CSEA to get your license back

How do I get my license back? / Reinstatement

  • A lump sum payment of no less than the court-ordered monthly obligation must be made
  • In some instances, a complete payment may be made or the implementation of a wage withhold can be an option
  • Payment must be verified prior to the reinstatement of the driver’s license
  • The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) may also charge a fee for reinstatement

Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM)

  • This is the process of an involuntary seizure of funds from your financial institution to fulfill back-owed child support
  • Funds can still be involuntarily seized even if you are making a payment(s) to reduce the amount owed for back child support
  • FIDM cannot be used when obligor/payor is in current bankruptcy status

Income or Wage Withholding

  • The CSEA will verify employment and issue a wage withholding order. The employer will deduct the amount of the support payment directly from the obligor’s wages and send them to Ohio Child Support Payment Central (OCSPC) in Columbus
  • The Child Support Agency can also order a wage withhold from certain types of “income benefits” including Social Security and Worker’s Compensation
  • The CSEA can also issue a wage withhold for those who are self employed from either a checking or savings account
  • If you are unemployed, the CSEA will work with Unemployment Compensation (UC) to get an income wage withhold order. The wage withhold from UC will address the child support order but will NOT include the administrative fee(s). You will be responsible for paying the difference. Once you have a new job, the CSEA will work with your new employer to establish a new wage withhold order.
It's easy and it’s automatic—one less thing to think about!

Lottery Winnings & Lump Sum Payments

Lottery winnings are subject to being intercepted by child support. Whenever a lottery prize with a cash value of six hundred dollar ($600.00) or more is awarded, the Ohio Lottery Commission is required to stipulate that each person entitled to a lottery prize award must affirm, in writing and under oath, whether the person is in default under a support order. The Ohio Lottery Commission may take additional steps to determine whether the person entitled to the prize award is in default under a support order.

Lump Sum awards can also be involuntarily seized to satisfy a court-ordered child support order. Lump sum awards are defined as “benefits other than personal earnings that the obligor is eligible to receive or is receiving . These include but are not limited to unemployment compensation, Worker’s Compensation, severance pay, sick pay, sick leave, retirement benefits, retirement contributions, bonuses, or profit sharing payments.

Income providers” are required to notify the Child Support Agency if the obligor is eligible to receive a lump sum payment equal to or in excess of 150.00. The CSEA will pursue a court action to intercept the funds on behalf of the child support order and the past owed child support.

How do I get my license back? Reinstatement

  • A lump sum payment of no less than the court-ordered monthly obligation must be made
  • In some instances, a complete payment may be made or the implementation of a wage withhold can be an option
  • Payment must be verified prior to the reinstatement of the driver’s license
  • The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) may also charge a fee for reinstatement

Quick Facts regarding Driver’s License Suspensions

  • Since the State of Ohio started reporting driver’s license suspensions, Licking County CSEA has suspended 1690 driver’s licenses
  • Reinstated 989 driver’s licenses
  • Monthly, the CSEA suspends approximately 15 licenses a month for failure to pay child support

State and Federal Tax

The CSEA has the ability to intercept the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) and federal Internal Revenue Services (IRS). The obligor’s refund may be intercepted even if they are currently paying an amount to reduce the arrearage. The following criteria must be met in order for a ODT/IRS submission:

  • A current court obligation with arrears
  • Must file and be eligible for a state and federal tax refund
  • A verified social security number
  • A signed CSEA application for services must be on file
  • ODT—$150.00 in arrears
  • IRS—$500.00 in arrears

*Please note- This is an automatic state process once the above have been met

Most Wanted Poster

If there has been a Capias issued for your arrest and the CSEA has a signed release, your picture may be published including the last known address and the amount owed in back child support

Question:

What if I’m on public assistance and state or federal tax intercept has been filed. Do I get the refund? Answer: It all depends on how much is owed. The state is paid first and then the obligee if there is any money left over.

What happens if there is joint filing for federal tax returns and the refund is intercepted?

Answer: Intercepted funds are held for six months before being released to the obligee. This allows the obligee’s spouse to file an “injured spouse” claim and appeal their portion of the intercepted tax refund.

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