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201.10 TANF MANUAL 10/18

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F. Advising the Client of the Good Cause Determination - The agency must advise each applicant/recipient who claims good cause for not cooperating of the final determination using the Notice of Action form. If the agency determines that good cause does not exist, it must refer the case to the Division of Child Support Enforcement. The agency must inform the applicant/recipient that cooperation will be required and provide a clear explanation of what is expected under the cooperation provision. The agency must allow him the opportunity to withdraw the application or request termination. Should the Division of Child Support Enforcement notify the local agency of evidence of failure to cooperate, the local agency must ensure that action is taken upon such information in accordance with Section 201.10 B and C.

G. Time Frame for Determining Good Cause - The agency must make the final determination that good cause for refusing to cooperate does or does not exist with the same degree of promptness as any other determination or redetermination of eligibility. However, the agency must not delay, deny, or discontinue assistance for the caretaker and children pending a determination of good cause if the applicant/recipient furnishes the required documented evidence or information necessary for the agency to obtain such. EXCEPTION: If the applicant/recipient reapplies following denial or closure due to noncooperation in establishing paternity, the agency cannot approve the application unless good cause has been verified, the applicant has cooperated, or the information not previously provided has been received from another source.

H. Referral to Support Enforcement When the Client has Claimed Good Cause - When the recipient has claimed good cause for not cooperating, the local agency will make the final decision regarding good cause. The worker will document the record explaining the approval or denial of the good cause claim.

If the agency has determined that the client has good cause, the following information must be entered on the Absent Parent Information Details screens in VaCMS: name, sex, race, the appropriate good cause reason, the good cause determination date and the verification used to determine good cause. Additionally, the fields regarding the AP’s receipt of benefits, and probation/parole must be completed. The worker can transmit through the remaining information to access the Absent Parent - Child Link screen where the child must be linked to each parent for which good cause has been claimed. As long as a good cause reason is selected from the Good Cause drop-down, a DCSE case will not be opened.

On a newly approved case in which the applicant has claimed good cause and the recipient has previously received public assistance or DCSE services, the worker must complete the "Good Cause Communication Form" and send it to the appropriate DCSE district office. If the information is questionable as to whether the client has previously received public assistance or DCSE services, the form must be completed and sent to the DCSE district office.

I. Fair Hearings Related to Good Cause Claims - The appeal procedures are equally applicable in this section and, upon notification of the decision, the Division of Child Support Enforcement will have the opportunity to participate in any hearings that result from an appeal of any action required by this section.

TANF Transmittal 65