THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN TODAY'S CHAT!!! We hope you found this helpful. We look forward to serving you in the future.


10:58:04 AM [Visitor] My brother is incarcerated in Ky for one year. Will you be having the Amnesty next August?
11:00:51 AM [Jeff Startzman] We hope so. It is up to our courts. However, this is our third year--and we will continue as long as they let us.

10:56:09 AM [Visitor] I have 3 children by a man and he is only paying not even half of his order. Everytime I call to get something done, it's always the same thing he at least made a payment of some sort. It is VERY unfair to my children because their deadbeat dad has the money to make the payments but, doesn't want to feeling like it is hurting me. He' a drug dealer and makes more money than most of us, not to mention his winnings on the Argosy! How can I go about getting my children's money that is owed to them along with the arreage??? I need help because it is hard out here for us single mother's to provide for our children when the father is able to live like the Jefferson's and make partial payments whenever he feels like paying. Who can I contact in handling this matter......
10:59:44 AM [Jeff Startzman] Contact your technician and if you are not satisfied with the proposed course of action please ask to speak to Deb Cunningham, who is the section chief in charge of enforcement. She will be able to determine if anything else can or should be done.

10:52:47 AM [Visitor] Addressing under the table jobs. I feel that if support is owed and it is so far behind, the courts should order the deadbeat parent to get a regular job where wages be taken within a certain amount of time. It's like credit, when you are given credit it is expected for you to pay back as agreed. When this is not honored certain privilleges are revoked and there are consequences. When the parent decides to take his/her money and live leisurely with no regards to paying their support, you have not carried out the obligation therefore you are not trust worthy to come and pay it needs to be garnished!!!!

10:53:53 AM [Visitor] I sent in forms about two months ago to have my child support modified and I have not heard anything. He hasn't been paying child support for over three years now and I could really use the help raising his son!!!
10:54:56 AM [Jeff Startzman] Please contact Mike Menke at 946-8273 and he can give you the status of your modification request.

10:51:32 AM [Rodney] do you know of advocates that can help that you would suggest contacting?
Alot of men are struggling and trying to flight as best as they can. We are between a rock and a hard place. And we need help!
10:53:33 AM [Jeff Startzman] Legal Aid has been involved in helping both represent and advocate for those individuals who have limited income and resources.

10:41:54 AM [Marci Cook,Greater Cinti Behavioral Health] Why would a person have to pay child support if they have custody of their children?
10:43:08 AM [Marci Cook,Greater Cinti Behavioral Health] Who do you contact in order to set up child support? Would it be the same 513-946-1000#?
10:52:08 AM [Jeff Startzman] You do not have to pay child support if you have custody. However, you may still have to pay off any arrears that accumulated when you did owe child support. You may call 946-1991 to start a brand-new case.

10:48:05 AM [Rodney] The only reason to monitor is that alot of the women have been abusing the system for a very long time. If money is used to help with education and bills, then that isn't a issue but when it is to furnish unnecessary needs, then the child is not gaining the support. That is whay I believe a trust should be designed to make sure that the child is provided for as weel as the court periodically checking to see if money is spent on clothing, medical, education, especially education!

10:45:34 AM [Visitor] Is there some place online to find out who your case worker is? My sons has retired, and he was not notified, and now doesn't have a case worker to discuss issues with. He doesn't have the time during the day to contantly call and be told to wait to find out who his case worker is. It would be more convenient if there was some way to find out who has been assigned to his case so that he can write to his caseworker. Or better yet, send an email.
10:47:09 AM [Jeff Startzman] He can either call or e-mail the agency and we can look up who his technician is. They are assigned alphabetically by obligor's last name.

10:45:39 AM [Visitor] Why is it that I have a order where I am owed over $28,000 and this parent has not in anyway had any consequences for his non support. He has been to court but nothing has been done.
10:47:09 AM [Jeff Startzman] I would have to look at your specific case to comment. If you would like to call me to discuss, I can be reached at 946-2023.

10:38:35 AM [Visitor] My children are now grown and the state is saying to me that my two other children's father has to continue to pay the state until the amount is owed and if the other father decides to pay they will release that support. This does not seem fair to me because with my two children I did not receive assistance long and he their father always paid support. My son's father paid seldom and I never recieved any of the support payments. Also, my previous question was directed in regards to the child support and arreages and how is it determined the amount owed to the state? One parent may have to pay $20.00 per week child support and the other is ordered to pay $100.00 per week per child. How can the state determine the amount owed when there is clearly an in balance payments and then determine the amount owed?
10:45:17 AM [Jeff Startzman] As I said earlier, this is a matter of state law regarding the assignment you must make in order to receive cash assistance (OWF). The CSEA has no discretion on this issue. You may want to speak to your legislators about this matter to see if the law can be altered.

10:27:10 AM [Visitor] I have a couple of questions. One is why when you have more than one child and just say one absent parent pays child support, in order to receive cash assistance for the other children, you have to forfeit support for the child receiving support? And why don't the state have work detail or some type of community service for deadbeat parents?
10:39:44 AM [Visitor] I wanted to address that question about monitoring the support given to support kids and it not being spent on the child. As a parent that barely receives support, I feel that if a parent has used 100% of his/her earnings to suppot the child and the absent deadbeat finally decides to pay, that money is reimbursement for the time when you were not paying. And furthermore if the money is spent on bills or other household things that benefit the child, what needs to be monitored? Paying parents are so hung up on where their money goes once they pay but unless they see their child(ren) neglected or in lack it should not be an issue.
10:41:13 AM [Jeff Startzman] On your first question, my response would be the same as it was to an earlier question on this topic -- this is state law and we have no choice in the matter. As for your second question, it is not up to the state but up to the individual counties to enforce child support orders. Thus, some counties have programs such as community service when an obligor is found in contempt and sent to jail. Hamilton County does  not have these programs at this time.

10:35:43 AM [Rodney] Who from your office can help "us" as Good Fathers and protect our rights Too.?
10:38:02 AM [Jeff Startzman] All our staff assist both parties in any support order. We are not advocates nor do we provide legal representation. Matters such as visitation and parenting time are beyond our authority and therefore we cannot become involved in those issues for either parent.

10:26:25 AM [Marci Cook,Greater Cinti Behavioral Health] If the person who is ordered to pay Child Support finds themselves unable to do so in the current economic recession, what can they do? A lot of times child support discourages a person from working because their wages at the end of the day are not enough to take care of their basic needs. Any suggestions?
10:35:55 AM [Jeff Startzman] If somebody is laid off or experiences a drop in income, they should request a modification. They can either contact the CSEA to do an administrative modification or file a motion to reduce directly with the court. They may even be able to have their filing fees waived by the court if they are indigent.

10:25:27 AM [Rodney] How do we get legislation changed. I know the system was set to fight dead beat dads but fathers that are doing what is necessary are getting hurt. I have gone through my retirement just to pay lawyers and cour cost fighting for right visitation times and support modifications and it seems like an endless battle but the child is the one in the long run who isn't getting what is required.
10:27:51 AM [Rodney] Can I request this through the courts to audit the mothers?
10:33:45 AM [Jeff Startzman] You can always ask, but it is up to the courts whether they would order such an extraordinary act. As for changing the laws, my only suggestion would be to work with your legislators so they know this is an important topic that their constituency wants addressed.

10:28:09 AM [Ms. Tyler] (1) After my children turn 18 will my arrerage payment remain the same as the weekly support payments or will arrerage only pymts decrease weekly?
10:28:57 AM [Ms. Tyler] (2) Can child support be deducted now from Soc Sec of the absent parent this would allow children to receive the money needed now?
10:31:28 AM [Jeff Startzman] When all children are emancipated, the law requires the CSEA to shift the amount of current support to arrearage repayment. Thus, very often the actual amount does not change. It simply goes from current plus arrears to all arrears. As for social security, if an obligor is receiving Title II benefits, which are disability or retirement, then child support can be deducted. If an obligor is receiving Title XVI benefits, which is SSI, then that is means tested assistance and we cannot take child support from this.

10:11:36 AM [Visitor] Actually I have spoken to you about the tax return/ stimulus payment almost a month ago and you said there was no information on it...How long should I wait to call you back on that?
10:19:48 AM [Visitor] My other question is are they any laws in the works to have child support and visitation intertwine? I think it is ridiculous that these women can have kids and collect money on them but can refuse to allow visitation, even with an order. And it is unfortunate that the fathers have to pay $150 to file for contempt on visitation.
10:27:57 AM [Jeff Startzman] Feel free to call me and we can check on your case. As for changes in state law, there are none on the horizon that I am aware of other than a possible recommendation by the Guidelines Commission to link parenting time with child support.

10:14:07 AM [Visitor] I have three children, a son who is twelve years older than my other two children. It was said to me that the absent parent who is paying has to for my the total amount that is owed to the state since my son's father has not been paying consistantly. I feel this is not fair. What can I do about this and is this correct?
10:25:29 AM [Jeff Startzman] I am not sure I understand your question. I think what you are asking is why all the children are lumped together on your OWF grant and thus all your child support is assigned to the state of Ohio. If this is correct, my only response would be that that is state law regarding your TANF benefits.

0:10:27 AM [Rodney] Why is the system set against Father's Rights. For the Fathers that are paying child support and doing all that is possible, the mothers are abusing the money. Why not monitor the money that should be provided for the welfare of the child, not to support the mothers spending habits
10:22:24 AM [Jeff Startzman] This question comes up all of the time and has been debated by the Ohio Legislature. Our agency does not have authority to monitor how people spend their money. If the state decided that parents should be required to prove they are supporting their children with the child support, another agency would need to be created because of the time, expense and manpower involved. If a parent is neglecting a child, let alone abusing a child, then Children's Services should become involved.

10:16:45 AM [Marci Cook,Greater Cinti Behavioral Health] Can you receive child support if you are legally separated?
10:19:08 AM [Jeff Startzman] Yes. Legal separations usually order child support as well as spousal support if appropriate and even property division.

10:16:47 AM [Visitor] Have asked for information concerning my back child support payment amount that i owe but have not received this information back to me.
10:16:34 AM [Jeff Startzman] If you do not receive what you have requested, please give me a call at 946-2023 so that I can follow up on this.

10:10:26 AM [Visitor] How does the drivers license amnesty work?
10:16:34 AM [Jeff Startzman] If your license has been suspended for child support, then contact your technician at 946-SETS and negotiate some payments to get it reinstated. We are dealing throughout the month of August.

10:13:16 AM [Marci Cook,Greater Cinti Behavioral Health] How is child support calculated when a person is on a set income. 10,20,30%?
10:15:12 AM [Jeff Startzman] The Ohio Child Support Guidelines are used in every single case. It is an income shares model, not a strict percentage of income.

10:08:31 AM [Mr.Hill] Hello my questions are 1. When HCJFS realize a law problem how come they don't address it through state legislators. Point being if your behind in child support your earnings are taken out of your check and the same check that is Direct deposited the freeze or take all that money. Meaning 100 percent of your weekly salary is taken thats not fair.
10:10:23 AM [Mr.Hill] Question 2. IF you can barely pay child support how is it you have to hire a lawyer for visitation?
10:13:32 AM [Jeff Startzman] If a person falls behind in their child support, federal law allows up to 65% of their check to be taken to satisify current child support and payments on the arrearage. The CSEA also has additional enforcement tools to seize bank accounts, tax returns, suspend drivers' licenses, etc. Please contact your technician and work with them to make sure that you are on a "payment plan" that you can live with. As for visitation and other parenting time issues, that is beyond the legal scope of the CSEA for either parent.

10:06:36 AM [Visitor] Can you explain the new procedure with the medical cash support?
10:09:13 AM [Jeff Startzman] It is very complicated, but to simplify the process it involves new child support guideline worksheets that establish an additional cash payment for medical if there is no health insurance available and if such a payment is affordable. For more information, please contact me.

10:01:32 AM [Visitor] will do thanks...I do have an address, but i don't know if its still good...i will call though...thanks for the help...
9:59:24 AM [Visitor] Why haven't I received the tax return or stimulus payment for my daughter? He was one of the first on the list to have stimulus payment sent out.. He owes me more than $8000..
10:05:02 AM [Jeff Startzman] I would have to check your case specifically to let you know. The money takes about 45 to 60 days to make its way from the IRS to federal child support to each state and then to each case.

10:02:22 AM [Visitor] I have called my tech and asked for a balance sheet and still have not received an answer.
10:03:21 AM [Jeff Startzman] If you do not get a response, please call me personally at 946-2023 so that I can take care of this for you.

9:49:28 AM [Michael] I pay over $1452.00 in child support. Over half of my paycheck is taken each pay period and it still doesn't cover the entire amount of my bi-weekly payment. I've appealed to the court several times but when I appeared in front of the judge she told me since I was a sales person I should be making 50k a year even though I've not made that money in a while. Currently if I don't make any commission dollars my bring home is $199.45 every two weeks out of $1400.00 gross. I also have full health care coverage for both of my children and a third child that I've joint custody and joint exp but what left. I pay child support like a Bengal or Red I need some help so this is fair.
10:02:22 AM [Jeff Startzman] It sounds like you have had a hearing in court and the court has not lowered your child support order. We cannot lower it either when the court tells us this is the correct amount. Unfortunately, you may have to appeal the judge's decision if you feel it is unfair and not supported by the evidence.

9:26:40 AM [Robert L. Spinelli] How can I receive an up dated balance sheet to see how much I owe for child support?
9:27:51 AM [Jeff Startzman] Thanks for your question. The chat starts at 10 a.m. We'll start with your questions.
9:28:07 AM [Robert L. Spinelli] How can I find out what the balance is on my child support obligation?
9:56 a.m. (Jeff Startzman) You can either call your tech and request it or stop by 800 Broadway where our auditors are located and request an audit in person.

9:35:43 AM [Visitor] how can i enforce a warrant on a dead beat dad...i have received two payments in 7 years(both during last years amnesty month...which allowed his warrants to be dropped) and the balance is over $6,000...there are other things also, but i really don't want them to be on a public discussion....Also how do i find out who my worker is?
9:37:50 AM [Jeff Startzman] If there is still a warrant and you have a location for him, you can call us or the Sheriff's Office with that information. To discuss your case and speak with somebody to determine the best method of enforcement, please call 946-SETS and you will be connected to your assigned technician. They are assigned alphabetically by obligor's last name.