Section 388-14A-2081 - Under what circumstances can DCS close a case when the application for services was made directly to DCS?When the application for services was made directly to the division of child support (DCS) by one of the parties, including when DCS opened the case as the result of an application for public assistance in the state of Washington, the case must remain open unless DCS determines that:
(1) There is no current support order, and the support debt owed by the noncustodial parent (NCP) is less than five hundred dollars, or cannot be enforced under Washington law;(2) The NCP or putative (alleged) father is dead with no assets, income or estate available for collection;(3) The NCP has no assets or income available for collection and is not able to provide support during the child's minority because of being: (a) Institutionalized in a psychiatric facility;(b) Incarcerated without possibility of parole; or(c) Medically verified as totally and permanently disabled with no evidence of ability to provide support.(4) The applicant or recipient of nonassistance services submits a written request for closure, and there is no current assignment of medical or support rights;(5) DCS has enough information to use an automated locate system, and has not been able to locate the NCP after three years of diligent efforts;(6) DCS does not have enough information to use an automated locate system, and has not been able to locate the NCP after one year of diligent efforts;(7) DCS is unable to contact the applicant or recipient of services for at least sixty days;(8) DCS or the prosecutor documents failure to cooperate by the custodial parent (CP), and that cooperation is essential for the next step in enforcement;(9) DCS cannot obtain a paternity order because:(a) The putative father is dead;(b) Genetic testing has excluded all putative fathers;(c) The child is at least eighteen years old;(d) DCS, the prosecutor, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that establishing paternity would not be in the best interests of the child in a case involving incest, rape, or pending adoption; or(e) The biological father is unknown and cannot be identified after diligent efforts, including at least one interview by DCS or its representative with the recipient of support enforcement services.(10) DCS, the prosecutor, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that the recipient of services has wrongfully deprived the NCP of physical custody of the child as provided in WAC 388-14A-3370(3);(11) DCS, the prosecutor, the department of social and health services, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that action to establish or enforce a support obligation cannot occur without a risk of harm to the child or the CP;(12) DCS has provided locate-only services in response to a request for state parent locator services (SPLS);(13) The NCP is a citizen and resident of a foreign country, and: (a) NCP has no assets which can be reached by DCS; and(b) The country where NCP resides does not provide reciprocity in child support matters.(14) The child is incarcerated or confined to a juvenile rehabilitation facility for a period of ninety days or more; or(15) Any other circumstances exist which would allow closure under 45 C.F.R. 303.11 or any other federal statute or regulation.Wash. Admin. Code § 388-14A-2081
Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.120, 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040(9), 74.20A.310, and 45 C.F.R. Parts 301.1, 302.35, 302.36, 303.3, 303.7, 303.11, 303.20, 305.63, 307.13, and 308.2. 11-22-116, § 388-14A-2081, filed 11/2/11, effective 12/3/11.