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July 1, 2026

30 If the parent is exempt from cooperating with child support per Section 4.7.1 and the parent has no other biological or adopted children for whom cooperation with child support is required, the local agency does not need to provide the parent with the Child Support Cooperation & Good Cause publication (see Process Help Section 10.2.3).

This section last updated 7/1/2026

Section 4.7.4 Good Cause Claim The Good Cause Claim form (DCF-F-DWSP2019-E) describes the good cause criteria and the documentation that will be needed to support a good cause claim. A good cause claim can be filed at any time, even if the parent is currently cooperating with the Child Support Agency (CSA). Agency workers must provide parents with the Good Cause Claim form whenever the form is requested.

If a parent is not cooperating with the CSA and needs to claim good cause, the Good Cause Claim form must be returned to the local agency within seven (7) business days from the issuance date of the Notice of Action Needed. The parent must specify the circumstances that meet the good cause criteria for not cooperating (see 4.7.4.1). If the parent is applying for or participating in Wisconsin Works (W-2), the Good Cause Claim form must be returned to the Financial and Employment Planner (FEP) to determine good cause.

Upon receipt of the Good Cause Claim form, the local agency must notify the CSA within two (2) business days (through an automated process) that no further child support action may be taken until the local agency determines whether good cause exists.

If an individual is cooperating with the local agency in providing evidence and information for the local agency to determine good cause and other eligibility criteria are met, Wisconsin Shares subsidy must not be denied, delayed, reduced, or discontinued pending the determination of the good cause claim.

This section last updated 12/1/2022

Section 4.7.4.1 Good Cause Criteria A parent may claim good cause for not cooperating with the Child Support Agency (CSA) for the following reasons: • Cooperation is reasonably anticipated to result in either physical or emotional harm to the child, including threats of domestic abuse or child kidnapping • Cooperation is reasonably anticipated to result in either physical or emotional harm to the parent, including domestic abuse • Cooperating with the CSA would make it more difficult for the individual to escape domestic abuse or unfairly penalize the individual who is or has been victimized by such abuse, or the individual is at risk of further domestic abuse