Establishing Paternity
The agency establishes paternity in one of two ways-through an expedited administrative process or through a judicial process accomplished in Juvenile Court. DNA testing may be an integral part of either process. The collection of genetic material is accomplished by rolling sponge-like swabs across the cheek area on the inside of the mouth. This method of testing has proven to be much less invasive than the former practice of taking blood samples from the mother, alleged father and the child.

Establishing Child Support Orders and Orders for Medical Support
Following paternity establishment, the agency will convene a set-support hearing. The purpose of this administrative hearing is to establish a child support order. The amount of the child support order is determined by the CSEA hearing officer in accordance with the schedule set forth in Ohio's Child Support Guidelines. The order for medical support is also addressed at this set-support hearing.

Adjusting Support Orders
The CSEA will respond to all written requests for reviews of IV-D child support and health insurance orders under its jurisdiction and, if appropriate, will initiate action to adjust the amount of the order in accordance with Ohio's Child Support Guidelines.

Enforcing Child Support Orders
When an absent parent fails to meet the child support obligation and goes into default (an absent parent is in default when he/she owes an amount equal to or greater than one month's current support obligation), CSEA support officers will begin taking enforcement action on the case. Commonly used enforcement actions include: sending out default letters, credit bureau reporting, wage withholding, seek-work orders, license suspension, garnishing funds through the Financial Institution Data Match Program, interception of federal and state income tax refunds, and garnishment of lump sum payments. Once a case has been referred onto our Litigation Department, CSEA attorneys can file motions for contempt, seek civil arrest warrants, file motions to enforce jail sentences and refer qualifying cases on to the Franklin County Prosecutor for criminal non-support actions.

Collecting and Disbursing Child Support/Spousal Support Payments
During the year 2000, the State of Ohio assumed responsibility for these two critical functions. Franklin County stopped disbursing child support checks in June of 2000, and by October 2000 the county was no longer in the business of posting child support payments to its local accounts. At this time, all child and spousal support checks are being issued by the state and all wage withholding monies are being processed by Ohio's Child Support Payment Central (CSPC) located here in Columbus. The agency has, however, retained the authority to accept "cash only" payments through its cashier's window on the first floor of our new offices at 80 East Fulton Street in downtown Columbus.

Tax Offset Program
The purpose of this program is to garnish the federal and state tax refunds of those who owe child support arrearages. Ohio's new statewide child support computer system (SETS) now automatically submits qualifying cases for both federal and state tax offset. Sometime in October of each year, obligors whose names have been submitted for tax offset will receive letters notifying them of their case arrears status and of the intended garnishment action. Those individuals who believe themselves to be caught up on their arrears can call the agency to request an administrative hearing.

License Suspension Program
An enforcement tool which allows an agency support officer to take action against a delinquent obligor which can lead to the suspension of a professional or occupational license granted by the State of Ohio.

Financial Institution Data Match Program
An enforcement tool which enables an agency support officer to locate accounts maintained by financial institutions operating in two or more states which belong to obligors who are delinquent in paying their child support obligations, and to freeze and seize the identified assets in order to satisfy any existing child support arrearages.

The CSEA Cannot Do the Following

• Negotiate visitation rights nor address contested visitation issues.
• Determine custody of children.
• Collect medical bills
• Collect divorce property settlements.
• Locate runaway children.
• Act as your private attorney or represent you in any way outside the scope of its authority.