N.J. Admin. Code § 10:110-9.2 - Cooperation with child support for WFNJ eligibility

(a) The first step in the WFNJ application process is cooperation with child support. In addition to the eligibility requirements contained in N.J.A.C. 10:90-2.2 and 3.2 or 3.4, requirements for WFNJ eligibility shall include the following:

1. The application process for WFNJ benefits for both WFNJ/TANF and WFNJ/GA individuals begins with the agency worker assigned to ascertain cooperation requirements of child support. For TANF purposes, at the time of the IV-D interview with the WFNJ/TANF applicant/recipient, the CWA/CSU worker shall explain the child support cooperation requirements set out in this section and N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.3, the good faith effort requirement set out in N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.4, and what constitutes a claim for good cause exceptions from the child support requirements, as outlined at N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.5 and the related procedures for those individuals affected by family violence at N.J.A.C. 10:90-20. The CWA/CSU worker, as an agency program contact person, shall notify all WFNJ/TANF individuals having contact with the CWA/CSU of the WFNJ Family Violence Option (FVO) in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:90-20.2, and explain the purpose of the WFNJ FVO and of the availability and opportunity for referral to the CWA FVO representative. Except in extraordinary circumstances, the IV-D interview shall be conducted at the time of application.

i. For TANF purposes, the IV-D interview to establish cooperation shall begin with the applicant/recipient signing the affidavit of cooperation and completing the child support questionnaire which includes providing information related to the non-custodial parent in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.4(b) and (c), unless the WFNJ/TANF individual requests a WFNJ FVO Waiver in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.5 and 20.6 for reason of family violence as a good cause exception from child support requirements, or any of the other reasons for good cause exemption from child support requirements in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.5. The WFNJ FVO Waiver and WFNJ/TANF Waiver means the same as a good cause exception from the child support requirements for reason of family violence or the risk of family violence and are used interchangeably throughout this subchapter.

(1) The WFNJ/TANF applicant/recipient is required to provide information related to the non-custodial parent at the time of the IV-D interview but not later than 30 calendar days from the date of the notice of initial cooperation with child support in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.4(d).

(2) During any IV-D contact of a WFNJ/TANF applicant/recipient with the CWA/CSU as a component of the WFNJ/TANF application processing, WFNJ/TANF redetermination processing, IV-D case processing, or after completion of these processes, the WFNJ/TANF applicant/recipient shall be informed of the right to speak with a CWA FVO representative and offered the opportunity to do so in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:90-20.2. During any of the aforementioned types of contact with the CWA/CSU, should the WFNJ/TANF applicant/recipient request a WFNJ/TANF Waiver, that is, a good cause exception from the child support requirements for reason of family violence, then corroborative evidence concerning the violence and the client's circumstances is not and shall not be required by the CWA/CSU. The individual's case shall be handled in accordance with the rules for the WFNJ FVO Initiative at N.J.A.C. 10:90-20 and involve completion of the WFNJ FVO Risk Assessment process, as delineated at N.J.A.C. 10:90-20.8 and 20.12, to determine possible risks of harm to the WFNJ/TANF individual and family members.

ii. The CWA/CSU shall make the determination as to whether or not the WFNJ/TANF applicant/recipient has initially cooperated in good faith in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.3.

iii. During the period after initial cooperation has been determined, if the CWA/CSU finds that the information provided by the WFNJ/TANF applicant/recipient is insufficient and additional information is necessary, the CWA/CSU shall make a determination as to whether or not the applicant/recipient has continued to cooperate in meeting the good faith effort requirement in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.4.

iv. If later CWA/CSU efforts to verify a WFNJ/TANF applicant's/recipient's information show that inaccurate information related to the non-custodial parent was deliberately provided, the applicant/recipient shall be found to have failed to cooperate.

v. At the point of initial intake, for WFNJ/GA applicants, initial cooperation in good faith with the child support requirements shall be established by the completion and signing of the affidavit of cooperation, which shall include the identification of his or her child(ren) and their respective custodial parent(s). Although completion of the affidavit of cooperation satisfies the WFNJ eligibility requirement to cooperate with child support, a WFNJ/GA applicant/recipient may have continuing child support requirements, which do not impact the individual's eligibility for WFNJ benefits.

vi. At the time of any adverse action, the applicant/recipient shall be advised of his or her rights to a fair hearing and to appeal any adverse action in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:90-9.3.

2. If at the time of application, it is not possible to complete the IV-D interview due to extraordinary circumstances, the following procedures shall apply:

i. When the WFNJ/TANF applicant is applying for multiple benefits, for example, WFNJ, Medicaid and NJ SNAP, the CWA shall determine if the IV-D interview and work registration requirement can be completed on the day of initial contact with the agency. Where the IV-D interview and/or work requirement cannot be completed on the day of application, the applicant shall be afforded the opportunity to file the application for NJ SNAP benefits and Medicaid if appropriate, that day. At a minimum, the applicant shall provide his or her name and signature, as well as the date of filing, on the application. The applicant shall also complete the questions on the application that are relevant in determining whether the household is entitled to NJ SNAP expedited service and all questions relevant to determining Medicaid eligibility. In addition, the applicant shall be provided with an appointment to return to the agency to comply with the IV-D interview and/or the work registration requirement.

ii. When the WFNJ/TANF applicant is applying for multiple benefits, for example WFNJ, Medicaid and NJ SNAP, and fails to cooperate with the CWA/CSU, the application process shall continue for NJ SNAP and Medicaid for any eligible children and any applicant who meets the Medicaid exception requirement in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.3(f)1.

iii. In cases of immediate need, where the IV-D interview and/or work registration requirement cannot be completed on the day of application, the application process is to continue and immediate need determined, with the WFNJ/TANF applicant being provided an appointment to return to the CWA to comply with the IV-D interview and/or the work registration requirement.

iv. All child support activities shall be coordinated with the WFNJ/TANF applicant's/recipient's work activities as delineated in the individual responsibility plan (IRP) and/or the emergency assistance service plan.

v. A WFNJ/GA applicant's lack of cooperation with the child support requirement shall not delay a referral to the CWA to apply for the NJ SNAP program or the Medicaid program for those individuals who meet the exception requirement in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:110-9.3(f)1 or the processing of such application, if applicable.

vi. All child support activities shall be coordinated with the WFNJ/GA applicant's/recipient's work activities as delineated in the IRP and/or the emergency assistance service plan.

vii. In cases of immediate need, where the affidavit of cooperation and/or work registration requirement cannot be completed on the day of application, the application process is to continue and immediate need determined with the WFNJ/GA applicant being provided an appointment to return to the municipal or county agency to complete the affidavit of cooperation and/or the work registration requirement.

(b) WFNJ/TANF applicants, as a condition of eligibility for WFNJ, automatically assign to the CWA all rights to support from the children's non-custodial parent(s) or any other support to which the eligible children, or the applicant when he or she is included in the eligible unit, may be entitled (see N.J.A.C. 10:110-6.1). An assignment of rights is also required for CP&P cases under Section 471(a)17 of the Social Security Act and as a condition of Medicaid under 42 C.F.R. 433.146.

(c) Title IV-D services with regard to paternity determinations and support collections shall be available to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) upon application and referral on behalf of the child(ren) for whom services are requested.

(d) Child support and paternity regulations contained in this subchapter are not required for the Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP). Although CWAs will not receive incentive payments for amounts collected for individuals in this program, there is no bar to providing child support services to this population.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:110-9.2

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 490(b), effective 2/22/2016