Worker Responsibilities - WAC 388-422-0020

Good Cause

See instructions for explaining assignment of child support rights and completing the 18-334(s) in the Clarifying Information, Cooperation section above.

When the CP applying for or receiving TANF/SFA states it isn’t safe for DCS to provide full collection services (which may include collection of medical support), this is a request for a good cause determination.

Give the parent/caregiver the DSHS 18-334 or send a General Correspondence letter with instructions to complete and return the DSHS 18-334 . Also let the parent or caregiver know they can access the DSHS 18-334 online. If a parent/caregiver already receiving TANF/SFA requests good cause over the telephone or in writing, do a referral to the SSS for the good cause determination while you wait for receipt of the form, see the CSD Procedure – Providing the DSHS 18-334 to TANF Households chapter for additional information.

When a parent/caregiver requests good cause, enter a “Y” in the good cause indicator field, the appropriate code in the reason field, and a “CP” (claim pending) in the status field on the NCP page of the NCP that the CP (custodial parent) states may cause harm.

After entering the NCP page information, refer the parent/caregiver to the SSS who makes the good cause determination. Refer the good cause claim to the SSS immediately following the interview if the parent/caregiver claims good cause without waiting for the returned 18-334(s).

The SSS must complete the good cause determination even if the parent/caregiver terminates TANF/SFA during the good cause determination process.

The supervisor approves the DSHS 18-444(X) - Good Cause Decision by checking the 'reviewed by Supervisor' box in the Barcode Good Cause system.This is a requirement before generating the decision letter.

Replace the “CP” (claim pending) coding with the appropriate code when the SSS approves or denies good cause.

Begin the good cause process as detailed above if a parent/caregiver begins to cooperate with DCS and then requests good cause. Change the reason and status fields to the appropriate code when the determination is pending and again after approval or denial.

When a custodial parent requests good cause after a 25% DCS non-cooperation sanction has been entered, begin the good cause process as detailed above. Instead of coding “CP” (claim pending) enter a “NS” (Pending Non-Cooperation) in the status field. DCS is notified that the client has claimed good cause and they put a hold on the collection process for 30 days. DCS sends a Cooperation Notice, and staff must follow the lifting DCS non-cooperation sanction process.

The system notifies DCS in the overnight batch process (e-Referral) when the NCP page changes.

For more information see the Social Services Manual - Good Cause