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• Make a reasonable effort to obtain any specific documents which he cannot reasonably obtain without assistance.

Further, the Division of Family Resources may conduct its own investigation by contacting the absent parent or alleged father, if such contact is necessary to establish the good cause claim.

Prior to making contact, the recipient parent/caretaker relative or non-recipient parent/caretaker relative is to be notified with these options: • Present additional corroborative evidence or information so that contact with the parent or alleged father will be unnecessary. • Withdraw the application for assistance or have the case closed. • Have the good cause claim denied. 2436.10.10.20

EVALUATION OF CHILD SUPPORT GOOD CAUSE CLAIM (C)

The policy stated in this section only applies to Two-Parent TANF and Regular TANF.

All good cause claims are reviewed by the DFR Policy Section (refer to Section 2436.10.10) to determine whether good cause exists. The good cause claim is to be approved if the statements and evidence substantiate potential harm to the child, recipient parent/caretaker relative, non- recipient parent/caretaker relative or the child’s parent(s) not in the household if child support is pursued. 2436.10.10.25

CHILD SUPPORT GOOD CAUSE DETERMINATION (C)

The policy stated in this section only applies to Two-Parent TANF and Regular TANF.

Once the good cause decision has been received from DFR Policy Section the decision is entered into the eligibility system by the eligibility worker and a written notice must be sent to the recipient parent/caretaker relative or non- recipient parent/caretaker relative.

If good cause is not approved, the notice must include the following: • The decision that good cause does not exist and the basis for the findings. • The right to appeal this decision. • The individual must cooperate with the child support collection effort if their needs are to be included in the grant. • The right to withdraw the application or have the case closed.

If the claim is approved, cooperation is not required. If the claim is denied, the recipient parent/caretaker relative or non-recipient parent/caretaker relative is required to cooperate. (See Section 2436.20.00)