The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions about child support referrals for Adult Relative Caregiver (ARC) recipients. ARC cases can be referred to the local child support agency for child support enforcement and ARC benefits can be recouped from collected child support.
However, an ARC recipient should not be referred for child support enforcement if the parent or guardian of a child on whose behalf ARC benefits are being received is receiving reunification services and child support will pose a barrier to reunification. Child support can pose a barrier to reunification if child support payment will compromise the parent’s ability to meet the requirements of the reunification plan or the parent’s current or future ability to meet the financial needs of the child.
In addition, the county must determine whether there is good cause for not cooperating with local child support agency under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 11477.04. This includes risk of harm to either the child or the parent. ACIN I-48-16 (June 29, 2016).