Lump Sums
Important Terminology
Arrearage: Past due, unpaid child support owed by the obligor. If the obligor has arrearages, he or she is said to be “in arrears”.
Obligee: The person, state or tribal agency, or other entity to which child support is owed.
Obligor: The person ordered to pay child support.
What are Lump Sum Payments?
Lump sum payments are income and can be garnished to collect support arrears (past due support).
Lump sum payments include, but are not limited to:
| *Bonuses |
*Leave payouts |
*Commissions |
| *Severance payments |
*Stock options and dividends |
*Retirement incentives |
| *Worker’s Compensation |
*Insurance settlements |
|
| *Lottery, casino, and racino winnings |
*Payments resulting from verdicts/settlements |
|
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from the Social Security Administration or vacation payouts are not eligible.
Under Ohio law income providers such as employers, casinos, racinos, the Ohio lottery, and insurance companies are required to notify the CSEA if an obligor is eligible for a lump sum payment at or above a specified dollar amount.
The CSEA reviews lump sum payments to ensure a case is eligible to receive the payment. This review may take up to 30 days. The CSEA will notify the payment source of the outcome of that review so payments can be sent into the CSEA for the child support case or released to the obligor.
Information for Employers
If you are an employer with questions about lump sums, please visit our Employer page for a link to the Employer’s Resource Guide to Child Support.