Getting Started

CSEA Getting Started

There are many facets to the Child Support program from paternity establishment, getting the order completed, understanding how the child support payments work, and the emancipation of a child and the end of the child support order. It is important to understand that depending on the number of children and their ages, it can be quite a long relationship with the Agency.

You are your best advocate. The more you understand, the better you can answer your own questions and talk to your case manager regarding your case. The following pages contain a lot of useful information to help you navigate and understand your child support case. If you need additional assistance, please log to childsupport.ohio.gov or call the CSEA at 740 670.5998 and speak with your case worker.

Obligee and Obligor

Understanding your role and responsibility will help ensure on-going communication with the CSEA. When you communicate with the CSEA and pay or make a good faith effort to comply with the court-ordered child support, the CSEA may not need to use various administrative “collection tools” to enforce the court order. Actions that are not in “good faith” or evasive regarding your compliance with the court order may result in negative consequences. When in doubt, paying something is better than paying nothing at all.

The One Who Receives Child Support (Obligee/Residential Parent)

• Inform the CSEA of changes in address & employment
• Inquire and seek assistance with child support
• Inquire regarding child support case(s)
• Changes in custody
• Emancipation of the child(ren)
• Enroll or provide for health care for child(ren)
• Provide the CSEA with relevant information regarding your child support case
• Provide the CSEA with all administrative or court orders that would impact your child support
• Repay the CSEA or obligor any funds which would result in an overpayment of the child support case

Become educated regarding your child support order. Ultimately, you are responsible for your order. Know your rights & responsibilities and exercise them accordingly.

The One Who Provides Child Support (Obligor /Non-residential Parent)

• Inform the CSEA of changes in address & employment
• Changes in custody
• Inform the CSEA of changes in address & employment ntral (OCSPC)
• Pay your amount in full each month
• If you are not able to make the full payment, communicate with your case manager
• Information regarding the emancipation of the child(ren)
• Enroll or provide for health care for child(ren)
• Provide the CSEA with all relevant information regarding your child support case

What is an Authorized Representative?

A person you have identified to make inquiries on your behalf. There is a signed form on file with the CSEA identifying this person. Otherwise, you are the only person who can make inquiries on your behalf.

To report changes to your child support case, contact the CSEA 740 670.5998 or 1.800.513.1128

You may also contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Child Support Customer Service at 1.800.686.1556 or 614 387.5505