Will applying for CalWORKs Cash Aid force my child's father onto child support? Worried about consequences

Yes, when you apply for CalWORKs Cash Aid, you are required to cooperate with child support enforcement as a condition of eligibility. This means providing information about the non-custodial parent and potentially establishing a formal child support case through the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS). The county will pursue child support from your child's father, and any support collected will offset your Cash Aid amount (you get to keep the first $100, and the rest goes to the county to reimburse your benefits).

I was worried about this exact same thing last year! There's actually something called a "Good Cause" exemption you can request if cooperating with child support would put you or your child at risk of harm. But from what you described, you might not qualify since you said you're on "ok terms" with him. When I applied, they gave me a form to fill out explaining why I didn't want to pursue child support. The worker told me they approve these exemptions mostly in domestic violence situations though.

My sister had this happen n they garnished her babydaddy's wages. he got SUPER mad at her even tho she told him she had no choice. they were cool before that but then he stopped coming around as much n it messed up there co-parenting. just saying be prepared

Just to clarify, when you apply for CalWORKs, you WILL need to assign your rights to child support to the county and cooperate with DCSS unless you qualify for a good cause exemption. Here's what actually happens: 1. During your CalWORKs interview, you'll complete child support forms with information about your child's father 2. DCSS will open a case and contact him 3. If he's unemployed or has very low income, they may establish an order but not actively collect until his situation improves 4. The first $100 of child support collected goes to you as a "pass-through" (it doesn't count against your cash aid) If you're worried about the relationship, it's best to talk to him BEFORE applying so it's not a surprise. Explain that it's required for the benefits and you have no choice if you need the assistance.

OMG dealing with child support was THE WORST part of getting CalWORKs!!! I couldn't get through to anyone at DCSS for WEEKS when I had questions about my case. I'd be on hold forever and then get disconnected. So frustrating! Finally I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person at the child support office. They have this thing where they wait on hold for you and call you back when someone answers. Saved me hours!! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/jzISHxCPLwE - totally worth it because you're gonna have A LOT of questions once your case gets started.

Look everybody needs to stop freaking this person out so much!!! The system isn't as scary as people make it sound. Yes you will need to cooperate with child support to get Cash Aid BUT: 1) They WON'T throw him in jail or anything crazy 2) If he truly has no income, they can't get blood from a stone 3) They'll work WITH HIM to set up an amount based on his actual income 4) He can request modification if his situation changes I've been on CalWORKs for 2 years and my kids' dad wasn't thrilled but we talked about it beforehand. He understood I needed the help. Communication is key!!! Just be honest with him about needing the assistance.

To answer your follow-up questions: 1. Yes, he will be informed that you've applied for public assistance - that's part of the legal notification DCSS provides. 2. The enforcement methods depend on his situation. If he's working, they may garnish wages (up to a certain percentage). They can intercept tax refunds, suspend driver's licenses, affect credit scores, and place liens on property in some cases. BUT - these are typically last resorts for non-cooperative parents. 3. If he's unemployed or has very low income, they'll still establish an order, but the amount should reflect his actual ability to pay. He'll need to provide income verification to DCSS. 4. The most important thing is that he responds to all DCSS notices and attends any required meetings/hearings. As long as he's cooperative with them, the process will be much smoother.

One more thing - once you apply for CalWORKs and they open a child support case, that case continues even if you later stop receiving Cash Aid. So be prepared for that. The only way to close it would be if you both agree to close it and you're no longer on public assistance. I wish someone had told me that before I applied!

Hey Emily, I totally understand your stress about this situation! I went through something similar when I first applied for CalWORKs. Here's what helped me: I called the county office before applying and asked to speak with someone about the child support requirements. They explained everything upfront, including the Good Cause exemption process that Natalie mentioned. Even though it sounds like you might not qualify for the exemption, it's worth understanding all your options. Also, when you do talk to your child's father, maybe frame it as "I need temporary help to get back on my feet, and this is unfortunately a requirement" rather than making it sound permanent. Some counties also have family mediation services that can help parents work through these situations. The most important thing is that you get the help you need right now - your housing stability matters for both you and your child. Don't let fear of potential relationship drama keep you from accessing benefits you're entitled to when you're in a tough spot!