Enforcing a Child Support Order

In Ohio, approximately 75% of child support payments are collected though income withholding. Payments can be withheld from many sources via income withholding including:

  • Wages/earnings
  • Unemployment Compensation
  • Certain Social Security benefits
  • Disability pay
  • Worker’s Compensation
  • Pensions
  • Bank accounts

A large majority of parents pay their child support as required. For instances where child support is not being paid, penalties can be severe. There are multiple tools available to the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) to enforce collection of child support payments.

Enforcement tools include, but are not limited to the following:


 Tax Offset: Federal and state laws allow Ohio to intercept state and federal tax refunds if the person receiving the refund is in arrears in their child support obligation. When certain criteria are met, eligible cases will be automatically submitted for tax offset.

License Suspension: The CSEA may suspend the driver’s license, recreational license, and/or professional license of a parent who is behind on their child support obligation. The individual must have paid less than 50% of their obligation for 90 consecutive days. The CSEA must issue a pre-suspension notice to the last known address of the individual and provide the individual 10 days to contact the CSEA to make payment arrangements to avoid suspension. If the individual does not contact the CSEA or make payment arrangements, the CSEA will then suspend the license. Once suspended, the individual must meet criteria governed by Ohio law for reinstatement.

Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM): The CSEA can freeze and seize assets held in a financial institution to be applied to the child support obligation.

Lump Sum Payments: Employers are required to notify CSEA if they will be paying a lump sum payment over $150 to an individual who owes child support. The CSEA can intercept the lump sum payment, up to the amount of arrears of the child support obligation.

Credit Bureau Reporting: Delinquent parents are reported to credit bureau

Passport Denial: If the past due child support is over $2,500, the delinquent parent identifiable information is submitted to the U.S. State Department. They will refuse to issue the delinquent parent a passport until the CSEA notifies them that the past-due amount has been paid.

Legal Action: If the person repeatedly fails to meet their child support obligation, the CSEA may also take judicial action through civil contempt charges or criminal non-support.

If you are having trouble paying your child support obligation, please contact CSEA as soon as possible. Your case manager can offer solutions based on your circumstances.

Your case manager can be reached through our Child Support Customer Service line at:
937-440-3471 or Customer Service Voice Mail: 937-440-3470