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To ensure basic efficiency and timeliness in CSE case processing, local CSE agencies must adhere to standard time frames within which required CSE case activities must be accomplished. Adherence to these standards allows for the provision of program services on a timely basis and assures that the agency meets Federally imposed audit criteria.
This topic contains information on the following subjects:
1. The time frames for Case Initiation activities;
2. The time frames for Locate activities;
3. The time frames for Paternity/Establishment activities;
4. The time frames for Collection and Distribution of child support;
CSE must provide an application the same day if the applicant makes a request in person or within five (5) working days if the applicant makes a written or telephone request. Information describing services, rights and responsibilities, fees, and distribution policy must accompany all applications, and CSE must provide this information to TANF, Medicaid, and IV-E applicants/recipients within five (5) working days of their referral to CSE. All cases must be entered in ACTS, any needed information solicited and verification initiated, and CSE must be referred for further location activities (if nec essary) within twenty (20) calendar days of CSE’s receipt of an application or referral.
NOTE: CSE is not required to reopen a previously closed TANF, Foster Care, or Medicaid CSE case when redetermination of eligibility by the TANF, Foster Care, or Medicaid agency does not generate any new information for the CSE agency to use in the establishment of paternity or support or the enforcement of a child support order.
Local CSE must access all appropriate location sources and verify that information is sufficient to take the next action within seventy-five (75) days of determining that location is necessary. Within twenty (20) calendar days of determining that a noncustodial parent (NCP) is in another state, the initiating state must refer the NCP’s case to the responding state's Central Registry.
Local CSE must repeat location quarterly with sources that are updated updated or immediately when new information is received. If the client is the only source of information, CSE must contact that client at least annually. If cases meet the requirements for submittal and prior locate attempts have failed, CSE must submit those cases to FPLS annually.
CSE must EITHER establish an order for paternity and support within ninety (90) days of locating an alleged father and/or noncustodial parent (NCP) or complete successful service of process (or document unsuccessful attempts to serve process.)
Paternity must be established or excluded as a result of paternity tests and/or legal process within one (1) year of EITHER successful service of process OR the child reaching six (6) months of age. See the Paternity and Establishment chapters.
In Interstate cases, the responding state must send collections for cases in the initiating state to the initiating state within two (2) business days of receipt.
Non-Public Assistance (NPA) collections that represent payment on the current obligation must be paid to the client within two (2) business days of their receipt in the state. Collections in IV-E cases must be distributed within two (2) business days of end-of-month processing.
Child support that is collected for all TANF and IV-E CSE cases is retained by the state and treated as reimbursement for TANF/IV-E funds. Any collected funds that are left over after the current support order has been satisfied are then applied to arrearages. If the URPA/URPF balance (URPA + Current Month's Grant) equals "$0.00" and the client is owed any arrearages, the collected funds that remain are disbursed to the client. Funds are disbursed to clients in active TANF cases within two (2) business days after the end-of-month processing.
Tax intercept (offset) collections must be distributed within thirty (30) calendar days of initial receipt in the state, or if the tax intercept is appealed, within fifteen (15) calendar days after the appeal is resolved. If the tax intercept for an NPA case is based on a joint return, CSE can delay distribution up to six (6) months.
CSE must take appropriate enforcement actions within thirty (30) days of locating a noncustodial parent (NCP) or of identifying noncompliance, unless service of process is necessary.
When service of process is necessary and service is successful, enforcement action must be taken, if served, within sixty (60) days of identifying the noncompliance.
CSE must submit all cases that meet certification requirements for tax intercept annually.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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