Child Support Up-front Eligibility 400-19-35-15

(Revised 6/1/10 ML #3218)

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As a condition of eligibility, applicants are required to complete SFN 74, ‘Child Support Information’ and DN 403, ‘Acknowledgment of Nonrepresentation’. The SFN 74 will be required from each caretaker against each absent parent for each child for whom TANF benefits are requested. Only one DN 403 is required per caretaker. The forms may be included with the information provided to TANF applicants with the application packet.  

Note: Forms SFN 74 and DN 403 remain valid for six (6) months from the original date they were signed.  Therefore, if a family reapplies within the six (6) month period, a review of the existing forms kept in the casefile rather than completion of new forms will satisfy the Child Support Up-front eligibility requirement. The family must resign and redate the copies underneath the existing signature and date. The family must initial and date any changes made to the information previously supplied on the file copy. The ‘updated’ copies must be sent to Child Support Enforcement to meet the Child Support Up-front eligibility requirement.

 

Since Up-front Child Support requirements do not apply to Benefit Cap child(ren), the SFN 74 and DN 403 do not need to be completed for the Benefit Cap child only.

 

The TANF Eligibility Worker must review the Absent Parent Maintenance window in the automated computer system, by selecting each child. If a reason of financial or paternity appears in the ‘Child Support Non Cooperation Reason(s)’ box for any children included for TANF, there may be an outstanding issue that needs to be resolved prior to approval of the TANF application. The individual must contact the Regional Child Support office as the Up-front Child Support eligibility requirement will not be met until the issue is resolved.    

Note: An alert is generated in the automated computer system when the issue has been resolved. (For further information on this alert, see the February 2007 Vision Maintenance Rollout.)  

 

If the completed forms are received by the TANF Eligibility Worker and there are no outstanding issues with Child Support Enforcement, Up-front Child Support eligibility requirements have been met.

Note: Forms are to be sent to the Regional Child Support Enforcement office within one day of being determined complete.

 

If requested, the TANF Eligibility Worker must assist the individual in completing SFN 74. However, this form should be completed in the individual’s handwriting whenever possible. If completed forms are not received by the TANF Eligibility Worker, the application must be denied.

 

The TANF Eligibility Worker must determine whether the applicant made a genuine attempt to answer all questions and completed the forms to the best of their ability.

Note: When an applicant answers the majority of questions as “Unknown” the form must be reviewed with the applicant. Prudent person concept applies.

 

Child Support Up-front eligibility does not apply when:

  1. Both parents of all eligible children are in the home as deprivation would be based on incapacity, disability, or age of one of the parents;
  2. A determination of ‘good cause’ for non-cooperation with Child Support Enforcement is pending or has been granted.

Note: The TANF Eligibility Worker should request that the family complete the forms but cannot deny the application if the forms are not completed and returned.   

 

When a TANF application is denied and the family is eligible for Medicaid, SFN 74 and DN 403 should be forwarded to the Regional Child Support Enforcement.