Child Support Cooperation
From CalWORKs | Welfare Resources
Cooperation in Establishing Paternity and in Collecting Child Support
Absent good cause, a custodial parent of an assisted child who is living apart from the child's other parent is required to assist the county in establishing the right to collect child support from the absent parent, including establishing paternity, and to assign to the county the right to collect that support. WIC § 11477; ACL 97-65. The agency designated to collect the support is generally the county=s child support enforcement agency (formerly the District Attorney Family Support Bureau, or "DA FSB").
"Good cause" exists where:
- cooperation would risk harm to the child or abuse to the parent or caretaker,
- the child was conceived as a result of incest or rape,
- the parents are considering adoption,
- the applicant cannot identify or help locate the father, or
- cooperation would be contrary to the child's best interests.
"Good cause" may be established by the statement of the applicant, including an abuse survivor, made under penalty of perjury. WIC §§ 11477.04(c)(2) and 11477.04(d). Those inquiring about, or claiming good cause or risk of abuse must be given an appropriate referral. WIC § 11477.04(e).
Unlike other sanctions, the penalty for failure to cooperate in the collection of child support without good cause will be the reduction of the family's grant by 25%. WIC § 11477.02; ACL 97-65.
