Section 20. Cooperation in obtaining support

Part II. Eligibility Requirements

A. As a condition of eligibility, each applicant for or recipient of TANF shall be required to cooperate (unless good cause for refusing to do so is determined to exist in accordance with federal regulations at 45 CFR 232.40 through 232.43). Cooperation shall mean all of the following actions necessary for the identification and location of noncustodial parents and the establishment and collection of child support owed to the person applying for or receiving public assistance:

1. Identifying the parent of a child for whom aid is requested. The applicant or recipient shall provide, under penalty of perjury, the first and last name of the individual against whom paternity or an obligation to provide support is sought to be established, modified, or enforced. If the applicant or recipient is not certain of the child's paternity, he shall identify all individuals with whom the mother had sexual intercourse who may be the father.

2. Providing, under penalty of perjury, additional informational items sufficient to verify the parent's identity including, at a minimum, three of the following: the noncustodial parent's social security number; race; date of birth; place of birth; telephone number; address; schools attended; occupation; employer; driver's license number; make and model of motor vehicle; motor vehicle license plate number; places of social contact; banking institutions utilized; and names, addresses or telephone number of parents, friends, or relatives.

3. Appearing at an office of the local social services agency or the Division of Child Support Enforcement as necessary to provide verbal or written information or documentary evidence known to, possessed by, or reasonably attainable by the applicant.

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

B. If the caretaker-relative is not a parent of the child for whom aid is requested or received, subdivisions A 1 and 2 of this section shall not be required.

C. If the parent is unsure of the identity of the father of the child, she is to name all potential persons who may be the father of the child. The Division of Child Support Enforcement will provide paternity testing for up to five potential fathers at its expense. After five potential fathers have been tested, the parent must assume full responsibility for any additional testing. If the parent fails or refuses to pay for further paternity testing, this will be considered to be noncooperation.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 12, Issue 15, eff. July 1, 1996; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§ 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia.