How do I make payments?

Obligors now have the following payment options:

1. cash only payments at the agency
2. mail payments to OCSPC
3. on-line payments
4. credit card payments

Cash payments at the agency:
The Franklin County CSEA operates a cashier's window at 80 East Fulton Street. Only cash payments can be accepted (no cashier's checks, certified checks, money orders, etc). The cashier's window is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Mail payments to OCSPC:
Obligors may also mail payments to the Ohio Child Support Payment Central at the following address:

OCSPC
P.O. Box 182372
Columbus, OH 43218

Only checks and money orders can be accepted, made payable to: CSPC.

Please print your SETS case number, and your court case number or your SSN, on your payment so that your account can be properly credited and payment processing can be expedited.

Online Payments:
Obligors now have the option of making payments online using ExpertPay.com. Obligors who wish to use this payment method should access the ExpertPay website at www.ExpertPay.com and register as a user. To remit a payment, the obligor will enter a payment amount and effective date for the withdrawal. On the effective date, the payment will be debited from the obligor's bank account, and then five (5) business days later the payment is sent to Ohio CSPC. A nominal fee is charged for payments remitted to other states. The ExpertPay website has additional details about fees.

Online Credit Card Payments:
Obligors now have the option of making payments by credit card at www.e-ChildsPay.com . This option is currently available only for MasterCard cardholders. Obligors using this payment method are subject to a fee of $11.75 per each transaction, in addition to the 2% processing charge. Additional information regarding this program can be found at www.e-ChildsPay.com.

How do employers submit payments?

If you are an employer remitting wage withheld payments for your employees, you should send these payments to this address:

Ohio Child Support Payment Central
P.O. Box 182394
Columbus, OH 43218

Employers must also provide the following information on the check or the check stub in order that the payment can be properly posted to the right account: the obligor's name, obligor's social security number, SETS case number (a ten-digit number beginning with a "7"), obligor's court or administrative order number, and the amount of the payment.

Why can't I pay my child support directly to the other party? We are on good terms. Why do I have to pay my child support through Ohio's Child Support Payment Central (CSPC)?

Ohio law requires that all child support must be paid through either Ohio's CSPC or through the CSEA administering the order. The Ohio statute which mandates this is Ohio Revised Code Section 3121.45. In this section it is further stated that any payment of money made by the obligor directly to the obligee "shall not be considered a payment of support under the support order" and "shall be deemed a gift."

How do I request a copy of my payment history?

Payment history requests can be made in person at the agency at either the cashier's booth or the reception counter located on the first floor of our 80 East Fulton Street offices. You may also request a payment history by telephone or by fax. Payment history requests received by phone or fax will be forwarded via First Class Mail. There is no charge for this service.

How can I find out if a payment has been received/posted to my case?

You can call the agency at 462-3275 (Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.) and ask one of our client information specialists when your most recent payment was posted. Additionally, at any time of the day or night (both during the week and on weekends) you can call the state's automated payment line at 1-800-860-2555 to acquire this information.

My child support payment is late. What can you do?

The agency will not investigate a late payment until it is 10 calendar days overdue. The only exception to this would be in a case where something irregular may have happened, i.e., you have knowledge that the obligor has quit a job or has moved from the area. The reason for this 10-day period is as follows: According to the Ohio Revised Code which drives the language on the wage withholding order (view this in the Forms Section of this web site), the employer has seven business days from the employee's payday (that's nine calendar days...10 if there is a holiday involved) to actually remit payment to Ohio's Child Support Payment Central (CSPC). So, if the employee is paid on a Friday and the employer mails the check on Friday, CSPC will get it and it will post by Monday or Tuesday. But, under this same scenario of a Friday payday, the employer actually has until a week from the following Monday to remit that payment.

Is there a faster way to receive my child support payments than receiving them through the mail?

Yes. You can have your child support payments sent directly to your bank account through direct deposit (also known as EFT or electronic funds transfer). The Ohio CSPC Direct Deposit Program is a safe, confidential and convenient way to receive your child support payments. Most importantly, you'll receive your payments faster. For enrollment information call us at 614-462-3275 and ask us to send you an enrollment form.

How do I request a "Housing Verification?"

Housing verification requests can either be mailed or faxed to the agency. The completed request will be sent out to you via First Class Mail.