1. (a) Under Arkansas state law, when an individual accepts transitional employment assistance (TEA) for or on behalf of a child or children, such individual will be deemed to have assigned to the Department of Human Services any rights to child support from any other person as such individual may have:

   1. (1) In his or her own behalf or on behalf of any other family member for whom he or she is receiving assistance; and
   2. (2) Which have accrued at the time such assistance, or any portion thereof, is accepted.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The effective date of the assignment is the date the case is certified for cash assistance, or the child or children are added.

   2. (2) The duration of the assignment will extend until:

      1. (A) The termination of TEA with respect to current support rights; and
      2. (B) Such time as past TEA assistance has been reimbursed to the state with respect to accrued unpaid support rights.
3. (c) Failure to turn in support payments will result in an overpayment, which will be subject to recovery and may result in a sanction for noncooperation.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The automatic assignment of child support rights will be explained to each Transitional Employment Assistance Program applicant.
   2. (2) This will include reviewing with the applicant the Assignment of Child Support (DCO-237).
   3. (3) It is important that the casehead be made fully aware of his or her responsibility to pay to the Office of Child Support Enforcement of the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration any support payments received from the noncustodial parent once the assignment becomes effective, i.e., approval of the application.
   4. (4) It should be explained to the casehead that paying to the Office of Child Support Enforcement all support payments covered by the assignment is a part of the child support cooperation requirement.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: “12/06/11”