c. Securing Child Support

If a child for whom assistance is requested is deprived of financial support from the child’s natural or adoptive parent, the custodial parent or person acting in loco parentis shall agree to apply for services and cooperate with the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) in obtaining support from the non-custodial parent, unless support is actively being pursued through private legal means or an exemption from cooperation is granted pursuant to section 17b-179(a)-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

The custodial parent shall not be required to apply for support services for children for whom assistance is not being requested or children who are emancipated pursuant to sections 46b-150b and 46b-150e of the Connecticut General Statutes. The department shall waive the fee charged to non-assistance recipients pursuant to 17b-179(i)-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

Parents who apply for or receive cash or medical assistance from the department for a child for whom child care assistance is requested shall not be required to apply for support for the child as long as the parent complies with the requirements of the other program. The family, however, shall become ineligible for child care assistance until proof of cooperation is provided if a sanction is imposed for non-compliance with the support requirements of the other program.

The application for support shall be made pursuant to section 17b-179 (h) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Parents shall verify that an application was filed not later than the first redetermination conducted after the initial date of eligibility for the child. The CCAP administrator shall provide written information about the procedure for applying for support to the parent.

The parent shall cooperate with the department as provided in section 17b-179(a)-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. The parent shall supply accurate and complete information about the non-custodial parent(s). When paternity has not been established for a child, the parent shall supply accurate and complete information about the putative father and take part in any legal proceedings as requested by the department unless an exemption is granted under section 17b-179(a)-4. Parents shall not be required to take additional action if an exemption is granted or if the department decides not to pursue support for reasons other than non-cooperation.

The entire family shall be determined ineligible if the parent does not comply with the requirements of this section and shall remain ineligible until such time that the parent complies.