Work First 116 - Child Support Services

V. STEPS TO FOLLOW IF THE FAMILY CLAIMS TO HAVE GOOD CAUSE FOR NOT MAKING A REFERRAL.

A. Give the caretaker the Second Notice Of Right To Claim Good Cause For Refusal To Cooperate In Child Support Enforcement (DSS-8104, Figure 2). Document in the case record that the family claims to have good cause for not making a referral to the Child Support Unit.

B. Require the caretaker to provide the evidence necessary to determine if good cause exists. Examples of acceptable evidence are listed on the Second Notice Of Right To Claim Good Cause For Refusal To Cooperate In Child Support Enforcement. Set a date for the caretaker to return the evidence. Follow up if not returned. (Allow twenty calendar days, and offer assistance if needed.)

NOTE: When a good cause claim has been previously established by the family, it is not necessary to reestablish good cause. This rule applies unless there is a subsequent claim of good cause for a newborn who has the same parent as another child for whom good cause was established.

NOTE: Domestic Violence cases are an exception to section V. B. Refer to section D. below in establishing good cause for Domestice Violence cases. Domestic Violence is defined as the use of violence and other forms of abuse including but not limited to; physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, economic oppression, intimidation, isolation, threats, and maltreatment of children.

C. If evidence of good cause is provided during the application screening:

• Document the evidence, and file a copy of the evidence in the case record as permanent verification.
• On the “Question Screen” of the automated referral, enter "Y" to answer the question HAS THE APPLICANT PROVIDED PROOF/ VERIFICATION OF GOOD CAUSE CLAIMED AS THE REASON FOR NOT WISHING TO COMPLETE A REFERRAL TO CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT?

D. The caretaker claiming good cause is responsible for establishing his/her claim. However, if the good cause claim involves domestic violence and if proper supportive evidence is not provided by the caretaker, the county may investigate the claim when it is believed that:

• The claim is credible without evidence, or
• Evidence is not available.

Investigating the claim should include contact with individuals knowledgeable about the family’s situation. This includes local law enforcement, family members, neighbors, etc.

E. Notify the Child Support Unit of the pending good cause claim using the Child Support Enforcement Menu Screen. However, go ahead and complete the referral during the application screening. Follow the instructions in the Work First User’s Manual.

F. Upon receipt of the evidence, determine if good cause exists.

If you determine that additional evidence is necessary:

• Notify the caretaker that additional evidence is needed, and
• Advise him how to obtain the necessary documents, and
• Make a reasonable effort to obtain specific documents which he cannot obtain without assistance.

If the caretaker does not provide the evidence on or before the date set, deny his claim for good cause. You must notify the family within five workdays of the decision. Complete and mail an adequate manual notice (DSS-8110).

You must also notify the Child Support Unit that the claim for good cause is denied, using the Child Support Enforcement Menu Screen.