131.32 Cooperation Criteria for Child Support

To be eligible for the full assistance amount, the applicant/recipient must cooperate with DHS, the DRS, and/or court of common pleas in determining parentage and establishing support obligations.

55 Pa. Code §187.23(b)

Cooperation means that the applicant/recipient must:

Give truthful and correct information to DHS, the DRS and/or court of common pleas in person or in documents that they request

55 Pa. Code §125.24(c)(3)

Identify the non-custodial parent(s) or putative father of each child for whom assistance is sought or received

55 Pa. Code §141.21(d)(1)

Keep scheduled appointments with the DHS and DRS

Sign and return forms requested by the DHS and DRS

Appear for scheduled genetic testing with the child or children

Appear as a witness and testify at judicial and other hearings as requested by the DRS and/or court of common pleas

Pay to the DHS any support payment received directly from a non-custodial parent or a DRS after an assignment of support is in place

23 Pa. C.S. 4379

Report any changes or new information that relates to support enforcement to the CAO or DRS within the first 10 days of the month after the month of the change.

23 Pa. C.S 4353

NOTE : The CAO must evaluate the applicant/recipient’s efforts to cooperate case-by-case, specific to the facts and circumstances the applicant/recipient gives. The applicant/recipient must give the name and enough information to identify the non- custodial parent except when the applicant/recipient claims good cause or can not be reasonably expected to know or get information about the putative father or non-custodial parent. By Pennsylvania law, non-cooperation is presumed if a single biological mother does not identify the putative father by name, second genetic exclusion of the putative father(s) named by the applicant/recipient , or a court order does not establish parentage . This may be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence. Non-cooperation is also assumed if any applicant/recipient does not cooperate with establishing support obligations. See Section 131.35 , Cooperation Prior to Authorization .