IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS WITH CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS

If you have a child support order in Ohio and you have encountered a lay-off or plant closing, you may already qualify to have your child support case reviewed and adjusted.

Please contact your local child support enforcement agency (CSEA) if either of the following occurs:

• You have been unemployed, through no fault of your own, for at least 30 consecutive days.
• You have experienced at least a 30 percent decrease in gross income of income-producing assets for a  period of six months because of circumstances beyond your control, and you expect that decrease to continue for an extended period of time.

Regardless of your circumstances, Ohio law entitles you to a review and adjustment of your support order if it has been 36 months or longer since the support order became effective or was last reviewed.  With the administrative adjustment and review process, a CSEA will consider your case and present a recommendation for a possible adjustment.  The amount you pay could go up, go down or stay the same.  Effective July 1, 2008 all child support orders must include either covered medical insurance for children or the potential for additional cash payment if coverage is not available at a reasonable cost.

To request an administrative review, please contact your local CSEA.  Each of the state's 88 counties has a CSEA, staffed by people who are well-versed in Ohio laws, practices and who can answer your questions and explain your rights.

To find the CSEA in your county, call 1-800-686-1556 or visit
http://jfs.ohio.gov/County/cntydir.stm