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5.2.3 Failure to Cooperate The CSA determines if there is non-cooperation for persons required to cooperate. The IM agency determines if good cause exists (see SECTION 5.3.7 DETERMINATION) and whether the applicant or member is exempt (see SECTION 5.2.2 EXEMPTIONS FROM COOPERATION). If there is a dispute, the CSA makes the final determination of cooperation while the IM agency makes the final determination of exemptions or good cause. The member remains ineligible until they cooperate, establish good cause, or their cooperation is no longer required. Note If the local CSA determines that a parent is not cooperating because court-ordered birth costs are not paid, the parent or caretaker may not be sanctioned.

Example 1 Mary, a disabled parent, is applying for BadgerCare Plus for her and her son, Michael. She refuses to cooperate in obtaining medical support for Michael. Mary meets all other non-financial and financial criteria for BadgerCare Plus and EBD Medicaid. Mary is not eligible for EBD Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus because she will not cooperate in obtaining medical support for Michael. Even though Mary has not cooperated in obtaining medical support for Michael, he remains eligible for BadgerCare Plus. This page last updated in Release Number: 26-03 Release Date: 08/12/2026 Effective Date: 06/01/2026 5.3 Claiming Good Cause 5.3.1 Claiming Good Cause Introduction Any parent or other caretaker relative who is required to cooperate in establishing paternity and obtaining medical support may claim good cause. They must do the following: • Specify the circumstance that is the basis for good cause. • Corroborate the circumstance according to the evidence requirements in SECTION 5.3.5 EVIDENCE. 5.3.2 Notice At application or a new request for health care on an existing case, the income maintenance (IM) agency must provide a Child Support Cooperation & Good Cause notice (DCF-P-5600) whenever a child with an absent parent is part of the health care application or case. The Child Support Cooperation & Good Cause notice describes the right to refuse to cooperate for good cause in establishing paternity and securing medical support from the absent parent. Exception: The agency does not need to provide notice to applicants who apply via ACCESS since this information is included in the ACCESS application. The IM agency must also provide this notice to the member in situations where a parent leaves the home, resulting in a child on the case now having an absent parent. Applicants and members are not required to sign the Child Support Cooperation & Good Cause notice in order to be eligible for health care programs.