Child Support Payment Central (CSPC) was developed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), Office of Child Support, in response to Federal legislation mandating the implementation and operation of a state disbursement unit (SDU) for collecting and disbursing child support payments. All child support payments must be processed by CSPC.

Through a competitively-bid contract, Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) performs many of the CSPC functions.

Child support payments must be mailed to CSPC and must contain specific information. To ensure that all child support payments are processed timely and accurately, please follow these guidelines:

1. Send payments via U.S. standard mail to:
                                                                   Ohio CSPC
                                                                   P.O. Box 182394
                                                                   Columbus, OH 43218-2394
   
2. Do not send payments to a county Child Support Enforcement Agency.
3. Do not use overnight deliveries as they cannot be accepted by the lockbox and can actually cause a delay in processing.
4. The following information must be provided with each payment:
   • Employee name
   • Employee Social Security Number
   • SETS Case Number (a 10 digit number that begins with a "7")
   • Court Order Number
   • Amount of payment
   • Correct amount matched to each order
5. Make checks payable to: OHIO CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT CENTRAL or OHIO CSPC
6. If using an automated addressing system, please make sure the automatic bar code reflects the full CSPC zip code, 43218-2394, to avoid incorrect routing and postal delays.

All payments are sent to a centralized Post Office Box. CSPC uses state-of-the-art equipment to batch, image and process payments. All payments with accurate and complete posting information are processed on the same day they are received. Although some payments with invalid posting information are able to be researched and processed the same day, others are "suspended" for additional research.

CSPC attempts to resolve all "suspense" payments for five business days by conducting research, contacting remitters for additional information and/or seeking direction from the local county Child Support Enforcement Agencies (CSEA). If CSPC is unable to resolve a payment within five business days, the payment is referred to the Office of Child Support's Payment Analysis and Account Reconciliation section (PAAR).

PAAR is responsible for researching suspense payments until they are resolved. They too work closely with CSEAs and the employer community.

CSPC is also charged with processing Return Deposit Items (RDIs). Non-Sufficient Funds and Stop Payments are the most common forms of RDIs. CSPC conducts research on these items and contacts remitters to resolve them. RDIs that are not resolved in a timely manner are referred to the State of Ohio, Attorney General's Office for collection.

During the first two years of operation, CSPC mailed employer remittance coupons to all employers who actively withheld wages for child support. From experience, CSPC found that many employers developed their own remittance statements instead of using the coupons supplied by CSPC. Other employers requested an electronic version of the remittance coupon. As a result, CSPC no longer mails monthly remittance coupons but does provide an electronic means for employers to access withholding information. Options related to remittance coupons are:

1. To access withholding information electronically, visit www.expertpay.com. After registering, follow the instructions for creating a Payment Profile.

1. Click Employer Remittance Coupon, to download a blank copy of the coupon. Fill in the appropriate information and mail it to CSPC along with your check.

1. To remit payments using an internally developed remittance statement, be sure to include all of the information outlined in Guidelines For Remitting Payments and mail it to CSPC along with your check.

Electronic payment is a safe and efficient way to remit child support payments for your employees. 

Benefits of Electronic Payment

• Accuracy - Before you submit electronic payments, Ohio CSPC verifies employer and employee data to ensure that payments are properly identified. Thereafter, employee information is merely confirmed during each payroll cycle, not re-entered, which eliminates costly mistakes.
• Economy - Electronic payments save staff time. There are no checks to print. No labels. No envelopes. No postage. 
• Convenience - Electronic payment requires only one transaction per pay period - whether EFT/EDI or ExpertPaySM. Just review your last submission and update the information as necessary. 
• Security - Good fiscal practice: One person at your company can confirm employee information, and another person can authorize the payment transaction.

Ohio CSPC Electronic Payment Methods:

• Electronic Funds Transfer/Electronic Data Interchange (EFT/EDI) - Regardless of whether you currently use EFT/EDI in your business, you can easily convert your support remittances to EFT/EDI transactions through your bank. Ohio CSPC will accept payments in either CCD+ or CTX format.
• ExpertPaySM website - If your business has internet access, you can remit payments electronically through www.expertpay.com. With ExpertPay SM, there is:
  • No technology investment and no special software - all you need is internet access, a web browser, and a one-time data entry set-up.
  • No elaborate financial arrangement - just fill out the authorization form that allows Ohio CSPC to debit your bank account when you submit your electronic list for payment. 
  • No need to re-enter employee data each payroll period - simply verify and/or update the information and authorize payment.
  • A user manual with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.
  • Free for Ohio remittances - there is no charge for any employer to remit payments to the Ohio CSPC using ExpertPaySM.

Where do I sign up?

Call CSPC Customer Support today at (888) 965-2676 to speak with a specialist!

If there is one constant in life, it is change. An employer encounters changes to employment situations on a daily basis. When those changes occur to an employee for whom child support is withheld, it is important that the employer notify the CSEA administering the order so they can update their files to have the best information available to monitor the case.

An employer can easily update the issuing CSEA about changes in address or promotions with a quick phone call. In the event of a layoff, termination, leave of absence without pay, or any termination pension or retirement benefits, the employer must notify the CSEA in writing within 10 days of the occurrence. The notice must include the employee's last known address and any available information regarding a new employer or income source. Failure to notify the CSEA of significant changes could result in unnecessary legal consequences for the obligor.

For the types of questions listed below, please call the listed entity.

1. One of the employees for whom I have been remitting payments is no longer working for me. What should I do?
2. Can I send one check for all support obligations?
3. If my employee has more than one Case and Order, how do I apportion monies?
4. A payment that I sent to CSPC has not cleared my bank account. What should I do?

1.    Q. One of the employees for whom I have been remitting payments is no longer working for me. What should I do?
   
   A. Please contact the county CSEA who issued the withholding order to update the employee's information.
   
   
2.    Q. Can I send one check for all support obligations?
   
   A. Yes. You may remit one check for all employees for whom you have an active wage withholding order. Please make sure that you have included ALL of the necessary information for each employee: name, Social Security number, SETS case number, order number, and the correct amount matched to each order.
   
   
3.    Q. If my employee has more than one case and order, how do I split up the payment?
   
   A. If you receive multiple orders to withhold income for support for an employee, you may need to prorate the amount due. Please refer to the Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child and Spousal Support or contact the county CSEA for additional details.
   
   
4.    Q. A payment that I sent to CSPC has not cleared my bank account. What should I do?
   
   A. Before placing a stop payment on the check or re-issuing a new check, contact CSPC Customer Service at (888) 965-2676. CSPC will advise you on what action you should take.