Ops Memo 2013-17: TAFDC – Noncustodial (Absent) Parents

Overview
Clients must cooperate with Department of Revenue (DOR) Child Support Enforcement Unit (CSEU) to obtain child support and medical benefits from parents who are absent from the household (known as noncustodial parents). A client can satisfy this requirement by assigning his or her rights to DOR and by signing an affidavit stating that the child’s noncustodial parent has been continuously absent from the household and that all other information provided is truthful to the best of the client’s knowledge. While it is the Department’s obligation to establish absence of the noncustodial parent, it is DOR CSEU’s responsibility to establish the noncustodial parent’s whereabouts.

A report by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report highlights the importance of cooperation with child support. DTA also reinforces with clients the need to cooperate with DOR to obtain child support and medical benefits as a step towards self-sufficiency.

Purpose of Memo
This Operations Memo provides DTA staff guidelines for ensuring that accurate and consistent information about noncustodial parents is being given to DTA and DOR. This will assist DOR in establishing and obtaining child support from noncustodial parents. This Operations Memo also provides guidelines for making fraud referrals.