DTA and DOR are working together to collect the information needed to issue an order for genetic marker tests (GMT) when paternity has not been established for the child. Genetic marker tests, also called paternity tests, use the DNA from the father, mother and child to determine the probability of paternity. Critical to this process is the Mother’s Affidavit which is signed by the mother identifying the father of the child.

The purpose of this memo is to notify TAO staff about sending child support payments to the Child Support Enforcement Unit (CSEU) of DOR when the child support payments are received by the TAFDC recipient directly from the noncustodial (absent) parent; or a child support check is incorrectly sent to the recipient from DOR. If DOR’s files were not updated with the current TAFDC active status, DOR sends the child support payment to the recipient. The recipient aware of the TAFDC child support rule, returns the check from DOR to the TAO.

Beginning in October of 2005, the Department will change the child support sanction rule for AUs who fail to cooperate with child support. In most cases, this sanction rule change will result in a larger decrease of the recipient's TAFDC benefits. Detailed information about this change will be issued in a separate Field Operations Memo in the near future.

Effective with BEACON Increment 2.1.17:  a recipient who is sanctioned for noncooperation of child support (without good cause) would be removed from the grant. The grant would be reduced by 25% of the grant he or she would have received prior to not cooperating.  When the AU Manager enters the child support sanction and authorizes the sanction on the Interview Wrap-up window, EBC Results will automatically apply the sanction and send out a notice telling the recipient how the child support sanction affects the grant.The sanction will remain in effect until the recipient cooperates with child support in accordance with 106 CMR 203.710. This change is being made to conform to Federal Welfare Reform regulations.

This memo gives TAO Staff procedures for removing interrupted sanctions when the Assessed Person (AP) is participating in another activity (including work), has a “Meets Compliance” reason or is in an extension and appears on the “Clients with Sanctions” view in an “Interrupt” status.

TAFDC: teen parent can keep her baby out of teen parent's mother's assistance unit in order to keep child support payments; no penalty warning notice necessary before child support noncooperation sanctions; step-parent who opts out of grant does not have income included (can opt out where neither natural parent is present in home);  Unemployment compensation information accessible by computer match.

EA 12 month rule;  FS: cell phone is allowable utility deduction but not prepaid calling card; TAFDC child support cooperation.

TAFDC: assignment of child support for family cap child, how to count value of specially equipped van for disabled family member.

Child support and FS (must be legally obligated to be deductible); Child support referrals to DOR at application stage for TAFDC; temporary absence and receipt of FS.

TAFDC: Teen parent sanctions for not cooperating with child support enforcement; TAFDC: Home schooling meets Work Program requirement and Learnfare requirement; TAFDC: Teen parent exemptions while living in TLP; TAFDC: Family cap exceptions and lack of eligibility of family cap child for layette benefits.