Alabama Administrative Code › Title 660 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES › Chapter 660-2-2 - AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN › Appendix A - Attachments (REPEALED) › Attachment 660-2-2-.23 - STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES COOPERATION IN CHILD SUPPORT YOU SHOULD READ THIS NOTICE

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
If you receive Family Assistance (FA) for a child(ren) living
				  with you, any child support you receive for the child(ren) or for yourself will
				  be assigned to the State. You must cooperate with the Department of Human
				  Resources (DHR) in getting support from all absent parents unless you have
				  "good cause" for not cooperating. This is the law.
If you feel you have "good cause" for not cooperating with
				  child support, your worker will help you to establish the facts needed for the
				  "good cause" claim. The Department of Human Resources will decide if you have
				  "good cause".
HOW CAN THE CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM HELP
				  ME
?
The program can help the child by:
* finding the absent parent,
* establishing who the father is,
* getting financial support from the absent parent
				  and,
* getting the right to inheritance and the right to social
				  security (RSDI), veterans or other government benefits.
HOW DO I SHOW "GOOD CAUSE" FOR NOT
				  COOPERATING
?
To show "good cause," you must show that cooperating in
				  getting support from the absent parent would be against the best interest of
				  the child.
HOW DO I KNOW IF COOPERATION MIGHT BE AGAINST MY
				  CHILD'S BEST INTEREST?
Cooperation might be against the child's best interest
				  if:
* contacting the absent parent would be likely to cause
				  physical or emotional harm to you or to the child
* the child was born as a result of incest or rape
* you are planning to put the child up for adoption or
* you are working with any agency to decide if you want to
				  keep the child or give him/her up for adoption.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BELIEVE I CAN SHOW "GOOD
				  CAUSE" FOR NOT COOPERATING
?
First, tell your worker. Second, you must make an application
				  in writing on a form that your worker will give you.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY FOR "GOOD
				  CAUSE"?
You must provide any proof or information that your worker
				  says is needed within 20 days after you apply. In certain situations, you may
				  be given more time if you ask for it. The Department of Human Resources will
				  study the situation and decide if you have good cause. The Department will base
				  its decision on the evidence provided or on its investigation if no evidence is
				  available when you claim physical harm. Child Support staff may review the
				  findings and basis for "good cause" and may come to any hearings.
WHAT KINDS OF INFORMATION WILL BE NEEDED FROM
				  ME
?
Ask your worker to tell you what papers you must provide.
				  They might include any of the following:
* Records showing that the child was born as a result of
				  incest or forcible rape. These may include birth certificate or medical or
				  police records.
* Legal documents showing proceedings for adoption have been
				  started.
* Records showing the absent parent might physically or
				  emotionally harm you or the child. These could include court, medical,
				  criminal, social services, psychological or law enforcement records.
* Any medical records that show the emotional health of you
				  or the child.
* A written statement from a social agency showing that they
				  are helping you to decide if you want to keep the child or give him/her up for
				  adoption.
* Any other information that your worker says is needed
				  before the Department of Human Resources can decide if you have "good
				  cause."
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I NEED HELP IN COMPLETING THE
				  APPLICATION FOR "GOOD CAUSE"
?
If you ask your worker, he or she will help you in gathering
				  any needed information.
WHAT KIND OF DECISION CAN I
				  EXPECT
?
If it is decided that you do not have "good cause", you must
				  cooperate with the Department of Human Resources to get child support from all
				  absent parents. If it is decided that you do have "good cause", you will not
				  have to cooperate with the Child Support Program. The Department of Human
				  Resources may drop all efforts to establish paternity or get support or may try
				  to get support without your help. This would depend on your situation based on
				  the best interest of the child.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY FA BENEFITS WHILE THE
				  DECISION OF "GOOD CAUSE" IS BEING MADE
?
Your FA benefits will continue if you submit the requested
				  evidence within 20 days. Assistance will not be delayed, denied, or terminated
				  until a decision is made. You will be advised of the decision in
				  writing.
WHAT IF I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE DECISION ON MY
				  APPLICATION FOR "GOOD CAUSE"
?
If you do not agree with the decision, you may request a
				  conference with the County Department, review by the State Department of Human
				  Resources or a formal hearing.
Author:
Jeri Farrior
Statutory Authority:
Social Security Act,
					 Title IV-A;
					 45
					 C.F.R.233.20; P.L. 98-369, effective October
					 1, 1984; State Plan for Title IV-A;
Code of Ala. 1975
,
					 Title 38.