131.82 DRS Responsibilities

The DRS provides child support and spousal support services required by federal and state law and regulations. The Title IV-D Cooperative Agreement between the DHS, the DRS of the court of common pleas and the county commissioners specifies the DRS responsibilities. The DRS is the local Title IV-D agency in each county. The DRS responsibilities are:

Receive Application for Support Services PA/CS 643 or Certificate of Cooperation PA/CS 643A for self - referrals and individuals referred by DHS or other agencies or jurisdictions.

Complete the PA/CS 643A to certify the applicant/recipient’s cooperation with support requirements.

Locate non-custodial parents and absent spouses and their income sources and assets, whenever possible.

Help people file and process support complaints according to Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, for reasons including:

Trying to establish paternity by agreement

Asking for a court order for genetic testing

Referring the matter for further judicial proceeding.

23 Pa. C.S § 4305

23 Pa. C.S § 4321

23 Pa. C.S § 4322

23 Pa. C.S § 4378

23 Pa. C.S § 4379

23 Pa. C.S § 4380

23 Pa. C.S § 5103

Establish medical support orders requiring health care coverage required by federal and state statutes

Assess the child’s or spouse’s financial needs and the legally responsible relative’s ability to provide medical and financial support and establish a medical and financial support order according to the Support Guidelines in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 1910.16-1.

23 Pa. C.S. § 4324

23 Pa. C.S. § 4326

Enforce financial and medical support orders against non-custodial parents.

Refer cases to other states or other county DRS for services.

Provide services for cases from other states and county DRSs.

Provide legal services to help plaintiffs receive support.

Return the PA/CS 643 to the CAO with court order information.

Notify the CAO and the BCSE if a client does not cooperate without good cause in establishing paternity or securing financial and medical support.

Notify the CAO when a named putative father is excluded by genetic testing.

Notify the CAO when it is found that a recipient has received and kept financial or medical support payments assigned to the state