(1) You must cooperate with the division of child support (DCS) when you receive public assistance unless the department determines there is good cause not to cooperate under WAC
388-422-0020. For purposes of this section and WAC
388-14A-2075, cooperating with DCS includes cooperating with those acting on behalf of DCS (its "representatives"), namely the prosecuting attorney, the attorney general, or a private attorney paid per RCW
74.20.350. In cases where paternity is at issue, the custodial parent (CP) of a child who receives assistance must cooperate whether or not the parent receives assistance.
(2) Cooperation means giving information, attending interviews, attending hearings, or taking actions to help DCS establish and collect child support. This information and assistance is necessary for DCS to:
(a) Identify and locate the responsible parent;
(b) Establish the paternity of the child(ren) on assistance in the CP's care; and
(c) Establish or collect support payments or resources such as property due the CP or the child(ren).
(3) The CP must also cooperate by sending to DCS any child support received by the CP while on assistance, as required by RCW
74.20A.275 (3)(c). If the client keeps these payments, known as retained support, the CP must sign an agreement to repay under RCW
74.20A.275, and the CP must honor that agreement.
(4) The cooperation requirements of subsections (1) and (2) above, but not subsection (3), apply to a recipient of medicaid-only assistance.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.20A.310, 45 C.F.R. 302.31 and 302.33. 06-03-120, § 388-14A-2040, filed 1/17/06, effective 2/17/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 34.05.310 (4)(d), 26.23.035, 74.20A.310. 03-20-072, § 388-14A-2040, filed 9/29/03, effective 10/30/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2040, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-201.]