Arizona Child Support Good Cause Exemption for Kinship Caregivers

Why TANF Triggers Child Support Enforcement

When a grandparent or relative files for child-only TANF cash assistance in Arizona, the child's support rights are automatically assigned to the state under ARS § 46-407. The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) will pursue formal paternity establishment and child support enforcement against the non-custodial parent.

For many kinship families, this is the hidden cost of applying for cash assistance. The grandparent wanted help with groceries and utilities. What they got is the state pursuing their own adult child — often the child's parent — for support payments.

In some families, that's fine. In others, it's dangerous.

When Good Cause Applies

Arizona allows a "Good Cause" exception to child support cooperation when pursuing support could create harm. DCSS enforcement is paused while DES reviews a good-cause request. Three grounds qualify:

Physical or emotional harm. If cooperating with child support enforcement would result in physical danger or serious emotional harm to the child or the caregiver. This covers domestic violence situations where the non-custodial parent poses a safety threat, and situations where the child's parent has threatened retaliation against the caregiver for involving the state.

Conception through assault. If the child was conceived as a result of incest or sexual assault.

Pending adoption. If legal adoption proceedings are currently before a court.

How to Request It

On the FAA-0001A application for benefits, check the good-cause indicator box. DES will flag the case and pause DCSS enforcement while the request is under review.

Within 20 days of filing the application, submit supporting evidence. Acceptable documentation includes:

• Protective orders (past or current)
• Police reports documenting violence or threats
• Medical records showing injuries
• Court records from criminal proceedings
• Sworn statements from third parties who have direct knowledge of the risk (a counselor, neighbor, teacher, or shelter worker)

If you can't obtain formal documentation within 20 days, DES may review sworn statements from third parties with direct knowledge of the risk. DES evaluates the evidence and makes a determination; enforcement stays paused while the request is under review.

What Happens If Good Cause Is Granted

If DES grants the exception, it excuses cooperation with child support enforcement under the determination. It does not erase the support assignment under A.R.S. § 46-407.

The grant calculation still considers the child's countable income: child support the child receives is deducted dollar-for-dollar from the payment standard.

What Happens If It's Denied

If DES denies the good-cause claim, DCSS enforcement resumes. You can appeal the denial through the standard DES appeal process (form FAA-0098A, filed within 30 days of the notice).

You can also choose not to apply for TANF at all, which avoids the child support assignment entirely. The tradeoff is losing the cash grant — $204/month for one child with shelter costs. Some kinship families decide the risk of triggering enforcement outweighs the benefit.

The Arizona kinship financial help guide walks through the good-cause request step by step, including what to write in a supporting statement and how the exemption interacts with other benefits the child receives.

See more Arizona guides →