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Delaware’s TANF State Plan 10-1-2017 to 9-30-2020

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Participants in TANF must cooperate with the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) as a condition of eligibility. In addition, all families are required to provide sufficient information to permit Delaware to obtain child support on behalf of the family. Exceptions can be made when the caretaker demonstrates that pursuit of child support would create a danger to the caretaker or the child(ren). It is the responsibility of the client to provide documentation to verify such a good cause claim.

Failure of a caretaker, without good cause, to cooperate with and provide information to DCSS to permit the State to pursue the collection of child support on behalf of dependent children will result in a full family sanction, until compliance. Applicants who fail to provide information so that Delaware may pursue child support collections will be denied or closed. To cure the child support sanction, the caretaker will provide sufficient information to permit Delaware to pursue child support collections on behalf of the needy children in the family.

When a child lives with both the natural father and the mother but paternity has not been legally established, the parents will be referred to DCSS for a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.

When a child lives with the natural father but paternity has not been legally established, the father will complete a declaration of natural relationship document and will provide acceptable verification of relationship.

When a child lives with a relative of the natural father but paternity has not been legally established, the relative must complete a declaration of natural relationship document and provide acceptable verification of relationship.

In Delaware, DCSS determines non-cooperation with child support requirements. In addition, effective January 1, 1999, DCSS began making the determination of good faith efforts to comply.

Distribution of Child Support Collections to TANF Recipients

Delaware is a fill-the-gap state. Delaware uses fill-the-gap to make sure that families do not experience a net-loss of income due to the State retaining child support paid by absent parents.

3. Foster Care And Adoption Assistance Program

Certification that the state will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program. – A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program under the State plan approved under part E, and that the State will take such actions as are necessary to ensure