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201.10 TANF MANUAL 7/21 Page 2a

information required in 201.10 A.1.a. and/or b. is not provided and no penalty is to be imposed. If the applicant/recipient cannot provide the name of the noncustodial parent and at least three pieces of identifying information, she must sign an Attesting to The Lack of Information (ATL) form (032-03-0423). The client will be considered to be not cooperating if she states that she is unable to provide the name and other identifying information for a noncustodial parent but also refuses or fails to sign the ATL. (Note: A separate ATL form must be completed for each noncustodial parent.) When an ATL form is completed, “yes” must be selected from the “Agree to Cooperate” drop- down and “Cannot Identify Father, Client signed the Attesting to the Lack of Information Form” must be selected from the “ATL/Good Cause” drop- down on the Absent Parent Information Details screen in VaCMS. This coding will ensure the child is correctly linked to the absent parent on the Absent Parent-Child Link screen in VaCMS and it will ensure that a referral will not be sent to DCSE.

At the time of each renewal, the eligibility worker is to ask the client to provide information on each noncustodial parent. If the client continues to be unable to provide the name and at least three pieces of identifying information on a noncustodial parent, the eligibility worker will have the client complete a new ATL form for that noncustodial parent.

Note: An applicant/recipient who is the grandparent of the child for whom assistance is requested, is expected to be able to provide the first and last name and at least three additional pieces of identifying information for the noncustodial parent who is her own child. If she fails to do so, she will be subject to noncooperation penalties outlined in guidance at 201.10 B and C.

1. Appearing at an office of the local department of social services or the Division of Child Support Enforcement, as requested, to provide:

a. verbal or written information, or

b. documentary evidence known to, possessed by, or reasonably obtainable by the applicant/recipient about the noncustodial parent.

2. Appearing as a witness at judicial or administrative hearings or proceedings.

3. Appearing for a scheduled appointment to have testing completed to establish paternity.

4. Paying to DCSE any money directly received from the noncustodial parent after approval of the TANF case.

5. Paying for all additional genetic testing after the first five potential fathers have been tested and excluded as the father of the child.

Note: If a problem is identified that interferes with the recipient's ability to cooperate, such as, lack of transportation, hospitalization, etc., the local agency must assist the applicant/recipient, if requested.

TANF Transmittal 71