Child Support Good Cause Exception for TAFDC Grandparent Caregivers in Massachusetts

How Child Support Rules Apply to Relative Caregivers

TAFDC includes assignment of a child's support rights to the Commonwealth, but relative caregivers have a specific good cause option. DTA says a relative caregiver does not have to get involved with child support when pursuing it is not in the child's best interest. DTA may refer cases to the Department of Revenue's Child Support Services (DOR/CSS) when cooperation applies.

For many kinship caregivers, this is fine. If the child's parent is simply absent and there is no safety concern, having the state pursue support does not create a problem.

But in a significant number of kinship care situations, the child came to live with you because of domestic violence, substance abuse, incarceration, or other circumstances where contacting the absent parent could put you or the child at risk. In those cases, cooperating with child support enforcement is the last thing you want — and Massachusetts law recognizes that.

The Good Cause Exception

DTA allows a relative caregiver to claim good cause when pursuing child support is not in the child's best interest. DTA's policy says this relative-caregiver reason must be approved and does not require verification. Other good cause grounds include situations where cooperation would cause serious physical or emotional harm, rape or incest, or pending adoption proceedings.

Good cause grounds include:

• Domestic violence — the child was removed from a situation involving abuse, and contacting the parent would endanger you or the child
• Sexual assault — the child was conceived through rape or incest
• Pending adoption — adoption proceedings are underway and child support enforcement would interfere
• Threat to the child's emotional well-being — contact with the absent parent would cause serious emotional harm
• Not in the child's best interest — a relative caregiver may claim this reason even without a separate safety concern

You do not need to prove a relative-caregiver claim in court or provide verification to DTA. If you are claiming another good cause reason, DTA may ask for supporting evidence.

How to Request the Waiver

When you apply for TAFDC or during your intake interview, tell the DTA worker that you are claiming good cause not to cooperate with child support enforcement. DTA uses the Assignment of Support Rights, Cooperation with Child Support, or Good Cause Claim form (T-A34/36).

Supporting evidence DTA will accept:

• A restraining order (active or expired) against the absent parent
• Police reports documenting domestic violence or threats
• Court records from a Care and Protection proceeding
• A sworn statement from a domestic violence counselor, social worker, or medical professional
• Medical records documenting injuries
• Your own written sworn statement explaining the safety concern

These examples may help support a safety-based claim. A relative caregiver claiming that pursuing support is not in the child's best interest does not have to provide documentation.

What Happens While the Claim Is Reviewed

DTA can review a good cause claim at any point in the process. If the claim is approved, DOR/CSS will not pursue child support based on your cooperation. If DTA denies your claim, you can request a DTA fair hearing to challenge the decision.

Importantly, even if you do not claim good cause, the TAFDC child-only grant itself is not contingent on DOR actually collecting child support from the absent parent. If the parent cannot be located or has no income, your grant amount stays the same. The child support assignment is an administrative process that runs in the background — it does not reduce or delay the child-only cash payment you receive.

When the Parent's Situation Is Painful

Many kinship caregivers feel deeply conflicted about the child support question. You may care about the absent parent — your own son or daughter — while also recognizing they cannot safely be contacted right now. The good cause exception exists for these situations; claiming it is a benefits procedure, not a judgment about your relationship with the parent.

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, call the Kinship Navigator helpline at 1-844-924-4546 or contact a free legal aid organization before your DTA intake appointment. They can help you prepare the claim in advance.

The Massachusetts Kinship Financial Help guide covers the child support waiver process step by step alongside the full TAFDC application walkthrough.

See more Massachusetts guides →