Upcoming Distribution Changes

What does “assignment of support rights” mean?

“Assignment of support rights” means that when you receive cash assistance, all support, including arrears (unpaid back support), collected for you is kept by the State of Ohio as reimbursement for the costs of providing cash assistance to the family. Federal and State law require the assignment of your support rights. The amount of your support that may be kept by the State of Ohio may not exceed the total amount of cash assistance you receive.
Ohio law regarding the assignment of support rights will change effective October 1, 2009. The new law limits the assignment of support rights to the period of time you receive cash assistance. The State of Ohio may keep support collected for you, including arrears, only during the time you receive cash assistance. Support that was not paid before you received cash assistance is yours. Support that is not paid while you are on cash assistance is owed to the State of Ohio up to the amount of cash assistance you receive.