Children

About Child Support Services

Child Support is money required by law to be paid by one parent to another to help cover the costs of raising their children. It provides children the financial and medical support they deserve from both parents.

The HCJFS Child Support Services Division:

· Establishes and enforces child support orders

· Establishes paternity & administers paternity tests

· Modifies child support orders

· Provides other customer services

· Enforces spousal support

The local child support system includes HCJFS, Hamilton County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. All work together to ensure that children receive support from both parents.

How are child support orders issued?

Most orders are usually issued with a divorce. If a child is born out-of-wedlock, mothers can call HCJFS Child Support Services and ask to establish paternity. Once that happens, a case worker can help get a child support order.

How is the amount of support determined?

Court or administrative orders determine the legal requirement to pay support and how much. Cases involving children born out-of-wedlock, or cases involving parents who are married but separated, are handled through Juvenile Court. Cases involving divorce are handled through the Court of Domestic Relations.

Does Hamilton County collect and send support payments?

Hamilton County collects support only to the extent that it accepts payments at the Cashier’s Office, located at 800 Broadway in Cincinnati. Direct deposits to bank accounts and postings to e-QuickPay^® debit cards are done through Child Support Payment Central in Columbus.

How to Apply for Child Support:

No appointment is necessary. Apply in person at:

HCJFS

222 E. Central Pkwy., 1^st Floor

Cincinnati, OH 45202

(Bring your picture ID and the child's birth certificate)

By phone:

· Call 946-7387 to have paperwork sent to you and to arrange an appointment time.

Case Information

For case information:

Call 946-SETS (946-7387)

24-hour automated information line:

Call (800) 860-2555

E-QuickPay Information

To check balances:

·    Call 946-SETS (946-7387)

·    Call the Child Support Payment Center Customer Service line at (800) 965-2676

·    visit www.e-quickpay.com

Payment Information

Making child support payments:

By mail:

Ohio Child Support Payment Central

P.O. Box 182372

Columbus, OH 43218-2372

In person (using cash or credit card):

Cashier’s Office

800 Broadway Ave., 1^st Floor

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Call Center Hours

Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wed: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

First 3 Sats. each month: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.