1. (a)

   1. (1) Cases are referred to the Office of Child Support Enforcement when a custodial party and child is receiving TEA, Medicaid, or SNAP benefits.
   2. (2) A case will also be referred if a noncustodial parent receives SNAP benefits.
2. (b) Costs and fees for child support enforcement services are not charged to the custodial party in these cases, and no recovery of previously charged fee balances will be made as long as the party referred for services and/or the child are receiving those benefits.
3. (c) The Department of Human Services may make a referral for a child in foster care.

4. (d)

   1. (1) TEA.

   2. (2) As a condition of receiving TEA benefits, custodial parties are required to cooperate with the office in:

      1. (A) Establishing paternity if necessary;
      2. (B) Establishing a child and medical support order; and
      3. (C) Enforcing that order.
   3. (3) By accepting a monetary grant for or on behalf of a child, the custodial party assigns to the state any rights to child support.
   4. (4) The department is responsible for notifying each applicant in writing that acceptance of assistance will result in an automatic assignment of support rights.

5. (e) Mandatory Medicaid.

   1. (1) Cooperation is required for Medicaid cases referred to the office where the custodial party and the dependent are both recipients of Medicaid benefits.
   2. (2) In these cases, the full range of child support services are provided, unless the custodial party elects in writing to receive medical support services only.

6. (f) SNAP. As a condition of receiving SNAP, both custodial and noncustodial parents or putative fathers are required to cooperate with the office in:

   1. (1) Establishing paternity if necessary;
   2. (2) Establishing a child and medical support order; and
   3. (3) Enforcing that order.

7. (g) Cases with both parents in the home.

   1. (1) The department may refer cases to the office when both parents are living in the home if paternity is an issue.
   2. (2) The office will assist the parents to acknowledge paternity by administrative process, including DNA testing if requested by one (1) of the parents.
   3. (3) When paternity is established, the case will be closed with appropriate notice.

Codification Notes: “DNA” means deoxyribonucleic acid.