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3803 Volume III | Chapter 3

MISSISSIPPI [ NON - FINANCIAL CRITERIA: CHILD SUPPORT]

Revised 08-01-0610-01-21 - monetary and/or medical support for the children. Also, explain that the assignment of support rights to the State cannot be waived or excused. An unmarried minor mother not living in the home of her parents who applies for TANF benefits for her own child(ren) and herself and who is approved for a minor parent exception, must not only agree to assignment of support rights on behalf of her child(ren), but for herself also when there is an existing court order for one or the other parent to provide support for her. The penalty for failure to assign support rights or to cooperate in child support activities is denial or termination of TANF. 2. The information which the caretaker relative provides will be turned over to the Child Support Enforcement Office. The individual must respond to all notices and requests from the Child Support Office to prevent a determination of non-cooperation and loss of benefits. Child Support staff will use the information which the individual provides to locate the absent parent, establish paternity if needed, and obtain support, unless it is determined that such activities will not be in the best interest of the child (good cause). 3. The payee in a TANF case must turn over to the Child Support Office any support received directly from the absent parent. Child Support staff will take steps to have the existing court order revised or a new court order issued so that the support payments are made directly to the IV-D Office. 4. Child Support staff will pursue legal action to establish paternity when necessary and to obtain support from the absent parent unless good cause is determined. 5. The payee is required to cooperate with Child Support Enforcement in establishing paternity and obtaining support, unless good cause is determined by the IV-D Office. Cooperation may include, but is not limited to: a. Identifying and helping to locate the absent parent of a child for whom a TANF benefit is requested or received. The custodial parent/caretaker relative must provide identifying information about the absent parent(s) including full name, date of birth, SSN, address, employment, relatives, etc. b. Appearing for scheduled interviews with child support staff to provide necessary information. This includes information which the relative knows or can reasonably obtain leading to the location of the parent, the obtaining of support, or the establishment of paternity. c. Providing information, or attesting to the lack of information, under penalty of perjury.