Press Release
February 4, 2004
Debit Cards Coming for Some Clermont Child Support Recipients
Batavia, Ohio. Clermont County and five other counties will soon be able
to offer child support recipients the option of getting their payment by debit
cards, instead of waiting for a check. The Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services (ODJFS)will launch the pilot program in May 2004.
“This service is expected to be faster, cheaper, and more convenient for
many of those receiving child support,” said Brenda Gilreath, deputy director
of Clermont County’s Child Support Enforcement division. “The state
anticipates that this program could save taxpayers millions of dollars in
postage and other costs that can be linked to paper transactions.”
The new service is aimed at those who do not have bank accounts. The
service will provide them with a debit card they can use at any grocery or
retailer that accepts MasterCard. The card can also be used to withdraw
money from automated teller machines.
“We think if 60 percent of our current check customers convert, we could
save $2.5 million a year,” said Joe Pilat with the ODJFS child support office.
The state of Ohio currently pays ACS State and Local Solutions, 55 cents to
process each paper transaction of child support; electronic transactions cost
34 cents.
In most cases, payments will appear as an immediate credit on debit cards,
and will be available within 24 hours of payment.
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For additional information contact Brenda Gilreath with the Clermont
County Department of Job and Family Services at (513) 732-7248.