Child Support Enforcement

Child Support

The Meigs County Child Support Enforcement Agency helps families establish, collect and receive fair, consistent support — for parents and caretakers alike.

Apply Now Web Portal Make a Payment Contact Your Caseworker

Your Case Team

Find Your CSEA Case Manager

Case Managers can be reached by phone or email. Your case is assigned by the first letters of the obligee’s (caretaker’s) last name — the parent or caretaker to whom support is owed. Find your case manager below.

Last name AAA – HZZ

Destany Cox

CSEA Case Manager

Call: 740-992-2117 — after the welcome prompt, choose option 3, then option 4

destany.cox@jfs.ohio.gov

Last name IAA – QZZ

Jordan Snoke

CSEA Case Manager

Call: 740-992-2117 — after the welcome prompt, choose option 3, then option 3

jordan.snoke@jfs.ohio.gov

Last name RAA – ZZZ

David Rees

CSEA Case Manager

Call: 740-992-2117 — after the welcome prompt, choose option 3, then option 2

david.rees@jfs.ohio.gov

Kevin Dugan

CSEA Supervisor

Call: 740-992-2117 — after the welcome prompt,
choose option 3, then option 5

kevin.dugan@jfs.ohio.gov

For questions a case manager can’t resolve, or to escalate a concern, contact our supervisor directly.

Not sure who to contact? Call 740-992-2117 and our staff will direct you to the right case manager.

The Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) works with parents and caretakers to make sure children get the support they need. Services are available whether or not you receive other public assistance.

Our Mission

The primary mission of the Meigs County Child Support Agency is to enhance the lives of children by ensuring they receive the financial and medical support they need, while encouraging both parents to contribute to their child’s success and future.

Manage your case online

Use the Ohio Child Support Web Portal to view payments, balances and case details and send secure messages. Read our step-by-step Web Portal guide →

What we do

Establish paternity

Legally identify a child’s father so the child can access support and benefits.

Set up support orders

Establish fair child and medical support orders based on Ohio guidelines.

Collect & distribute

Process payments, often through income withholding, and deliver them to families.

Enforce orders

Use the tools available under Ohio law when support is not paid.

How to apply for child support services

Step 1: Complete an application

Complete a Child Support Services application. You can fill out our application online, then print or save and sign it, or download the state form JFS 07076 (PDF).

Step 2: Optional supporting documents

You do not need a birth certificate, Social Security card, or any other documents to apply — a completed child support application is all that is required to get started. If you happen to have any of the following on hand, they can help us process your case faster, but they are not required:

A valid photo ID
Your child(ren)’s birth certificate(s)
Social Security card(s)

Step 3: Submit your application & documents

Return your application and documentation to Meigs County Job & Family Services by:

Mail or in person (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM): 175 Race St., P.O. Box 191, Middleport, OH 45760
Email: Meigs-CSEA@jfs.ohio.gov

Once received, your caseworker will review your application and may request additional documents. You’ll then be scheduled for genetic testing or a court hearing, depending on case status.

Establishing paternity

Learn how to establish a legal father-child relationship and the associated support responsibilities. Genetic testing is recommended to confirm paternity.

Genetic testing appointments

We provide Genetic Testing Services from 9:00–11:30 AM and 1:00–3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You must call to schedule an appointment — call 740-992-2117.

What are the benefits of establishing paternity?

Paternity establishment can provide basic emotional, social and economic ties between a father and his child. Paternity is also a legal prerequisite for a father pursuing parenting time.

What will the caseworker need to know to try to establish paternity?

The caseworker needs as much information as you can give about the alleged father(s) and the facts about your relationship(s), your pregnancy, and the birth of your child. Some of these questions may be personal. The CSEA must keep the information you give confidential. The CSEA requires the party seeking support to complete a questionnaire. You may need to provide birth certificates, proof of marriage, or court orders depending on the facts of your case.

What happens if I am not sure who the father is?

The more information that is provided to the CSEA, the better the chances paternity may be established. When more than one man could be the father of a child, each may be required to take a genetic test. These tests are highly accurate, and it is almost always possible to determine who fathered a child and to rule out anyone who did not.

Who can request paternity establishment services from the CSEA?

The mother, legal guardian, the child born out of wedlock, or the man alleging to be the father may request the establishment of paternity through the CSEA for a child born out of wedlock for whom paternity has not been determined.

How is paternity established?

Paternity can be established in Ohio by a Paternity Affidavit, an Administrative Order based on genetic testing results, or a Court Order.

When and where is the paternity acknowledgement signed?

When the child is born and paternity is not in dispute, the hospital will assist both parents in completing the Acknowledgement of Paternity Affidavit. If anyone is presumed to be the father, or if both parents are not willing to sign, the Acknowledgement of Paternity Affidavit cannot be signed. This is a legally binding document, signed under oath — please read it carefully and provide only truthful information. If the paternity affidavit is not signed, the alleged father’s name will not appear on the birth certificate. If the mother is married, the name of the husband will appear on the birth certificate without the need for the husband to sign an affidavit. If the Paternity Acknowledgement is signed and notarized at the CSEA, the CSEA will send the document to the Central Paternity Registry at no cost to you. The CSEA strongly encourages genetic testing when a Paternity Acknowledgement has not been signed.

Who is a presumed father?

A man is presumed to be the biological father of a child when a final and enforceable determination of paternity does NOT exist, and the man and child’s mother are married to each other and the child was born during the marriage or within 300 days after the marriage was terminated by death, annulment, divorce, or dissolution. If this presumption exists, the CSEA’s genetic testing paternity establishment services are available at the request of either the mother, presumed father, or man alleging to be the biological father.

How does genetic testing work?

Genetic testing is a quick and painless way to establish paternity. The CSEA conducts the genetic testing on-site in our building using the buccal swab (a large cotton swab) method, collecting a sample by swabbing the inner cheek. Samples are collected by a trained technician. It takes three to four weeks, once the last sample is collected, to obtain results. The parties will receive copies of the test results and the resulting order depending on the outcome.

How will the genetic test results be issued?

The results will be issued by regular mail. Please keep the CSEA updated with any change of address so all paperwork will be received, and read all of your paperwork. Upon receipt of a genetic test result of 99% or higher, the CSEA will issue an Administrative Order of Paternity and will set the case for a court hearing to establish support. If the result is returned at 0.00%, the CSEA will issue an Administrative Order of Non-Paternity and close the case for the alleged father.

Payments

Terminology

Obligor: the individual ordered to pay support.
Obligee: the individual to whom support is owed.

Receiving payments

Unless Direct Deposit is selected, the Obligee will be automatically enrolled in the Ohio smiONE Visa Prepaid Card program via smartchildsupport.com.
If an Obligee is owed support on multiple cases within the State of Ohio, all payments are processed onto one Ohio smiONE card.
Employers must remit payment within 7 days of deduction.
If you receive public assistance, support payments may be assigned to the state.
To check balances, call 1-855-279-2744 or log into the Ohio Child Support Customer Service Portal.

Making payments

Child support can be paid by check or money order — no cash payments.
By mail (check or money order): Ohio CSPC, P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, OH 43218.
After-hours drop box located at 175 Race St., Middleport, OH 45760.
By phone — Payment Central: 1-888-965-2676.
Online with a credit card at smartchildsupport.com.
To make a payment through our office by phone, call 740-992-2117 — after the welcome prompt, choose option 3, then option 1.

Enforcement

Once a child and/or medical support order is established, the CSEA undertakes case-appropriate efforts to enforce the order. The most common enforcement tool is income withholding — a legally required method when the Obligor is employed. Additional enforcement methods are legally required if the case enters “default,” and some remain at the discretion of the Meigs County CSEA.

What is default?

An Obligor is in default if their arrearage (past-due support) balance exceeds their monthly support order amount.
The Obligor will receive a Default Notice by mail.
A default finding results in legally required enforcement actions.

Required enforcement tools (based on default or a past-due balance)

Credit bureau reporting
Interception of federal and state tax refunds
Passport denial

Discretionary enforcement tools

Driver’s license suspension
Recreational (hunting/fishing) or professional license suspension
Freeze/seize bank accounts via the Financial Institution Data Match (FIDM)
Property liens

Judicial enforcement

The CSEA represents the best interests of the child(ren), the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and the State of Ohio. The CSEA does not provide legal representation or legal advice for either party at court hearings. The CSEA’s legal team maintains discretion to initiate court enforcement actions on a case-by-case basis, including civil contempt charges and criminal non-support actions.

Modification of child support orders

Either parent or guardian may request a review of a child and/or medical support order through the CSEA. A review is generally available once at least 36 months have passed since the effective date of the existing order, and may be granted sooner if certain conditions are met and all supporting documentation is provided.

Because the Meigs County CSEA files all support orders in court, any party may also file a motion for modification directly with the court, without the assistance or constraints of the CSEA. See Uniform Domestic Relations Form 28 — Motion for Change of Child Support, Medical Support, Tax Exemption, or other Child-related Expenses.

Estimate a support amount

The State of Ohio’s Child Support Calculator can help estimate a prospective order amount. For questions about child support or the Ohio guidelines, consider contacting an attorney. Open the Ohio Child Support Calculator →

Termination of support

The CSEA reviews and investigates requests to terminate or modify child support obligations. Termination may be initiated by the custodial parent, the non-custodial parent, or based on information received by the agency.

When may my child support order terminate?

Current state law stipulates child support continues until a child reaches age 18, and continues beyond age 18 so long as the child is attending an accredited high school full-time. Child support terminates when a child reaches age 19 regardless of school enrollment, unless otherwise stated in an original order. Generally, the earliest date for termination of a support order is the month and year in which a child reaches the age of majority.

What are the reasons a child support order may terminate?

There are other reasons why a child support order may terminate including:

Death of the child
Death of the obligor
Death of the obligee
Adoption of the child
Marriage of the child
Deportation of the child
Emancipation of the child
A change in the legal custody of the child

Other appropriate circumstances may exist as approved by the Court.

How does the CSEA know when to terminate support for the child?

The parties are required to notify the CSEA of any of the above criteria that may result in termination. The CSEA also works reports that help find cases where termination may be necessary. If your child will be graduating in May/June, please notify the CSEA prior to graduation. Notification from the parties or their families is extremely important in the event of a death or an adoption, as the CSEA is not otherwise made aware of these occurrences.

How long does this process take?

Each step allows a 14-day objection period for both parties. The process is complete when the final order is filed with the appropriate court. You should anticipate that the process will take 60 days or more.

What if the child is adopted?

Please provide the CSEA with proof of adoption. This will result in termination of the current support obligation, but does not automatically remove or forgive any delinquent child support. Adoption records are not open to the public — you must provide all necessary paperwork to the CSEA, as the CSEA cannot obtain records from the courts.

What if the child support obligor dies?

If the party that pays support dies, the current support obligation terminates upon the death. Any delinquent payments may be collected from the obligor’s estate. The obligee may also want to explore any Social Security death benefits that may be available for the child of the deceased.

What happens when I still owe money or when I have overpaid my case?

Overpayment does happen occasionally. If your case appears to be receiving overpayment, all payments may be placed on hold to avoid overpayment. Neither party will lose money. However, responsibility falls on the Obligor to receive overpayment refunds.

Employer resources — withholding child support

Employers can visit the Employer Information Page from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for guidance.
Watch the video: Employer Electronic Child Support Payment Options for step-by-step help.
Need assistance from Meigs County JFS? Call 740-992-2117.

Case access

The Ohio Child Support Customer Service Portal is both a website and a mobile app for easy, on-demand access to your case information. You can find the Ohio Child Support mobile app in the Google Play or Apple App stores. Once registered, self-service options include:

Pay with credit/debit card
Set up payment alerts
Check your personal, job, insurance, and child support details
Print up to two (2) years of payment history
Send messages, important updates and required documents to our office

General information & contacts

smiONE card balance (SMI / No Card)1-855-279-2744

Enroll888-965-2676

Meigs County CSEA Fax740-444-5244

Make a payment (option 3, then 1)740-992-2117

Meigs County Probate Court740-992-6205

Meigs County Common Pleas Court740-992-6439

Legal Aid740-594-3558

Payment Central888-965-2676

Case informationchildsupport.ohio.gov

Meigs County, Ohio Benefits

Apply online any time, or contact our office during business hours. A 24-hour drop box is located at our main entrance.

Apply Online Contact our office