Does KCSP Require Child Support Assignment in Louisiana?

Yes, KCSP Requires Child Support Cooperation

When you apply for KCSP in Louisiana, you must assign all rights to child support on behalf of the child to the state. This is the same requirement that applies to FITAP — it is built into the TANF funding structure that supports both programs.

In practical terms, cooperation means:

• Disclosing what you know about the absent parent's identity, location, and employment
• Allowing the state to pursue paternity establishment if needed
• Allowing Child Support Enforcement (CSE) to initiate or continue collection from the non-custodial parent

The state retains collected support to reimburse federal and state TANF expenditures.

Why This Creates Anxiety for Kinship Caregivers

For many grandparents, the child's parent is their own adult child — someone struggling with addiction, incarceration, mental illness, or a combination. The idea of the state pursuing that parent for child support can feel like an act of betrayal, or worse, it can provoke a volatile reaction from a parent who may be dangerous.

This is a real concern, not an abstract one. The requirement exists because TANF funding carries federal mandates, not because the state is trying to create family conflict.

The Good Cause Waiver

Louisiana law allows you to request an exemption from child support cooperation. Legitimate grounds include:

• Anticipated physical or emotional harm to the child or the caregiver from enforcement contact with the absent parent
• Pregnancy or birth resulting from rape or incest
• Pending legal adoption proceedings, or active adoption counseling within the preceding three months

To request a waiver, file Form DCFS-CSE-301 along with supporting evidence. Acceptable documentation includes:

• Protective orders or restraining orders
• Police reports documenting abuse or threats
• Medical records showing injury or psychological harm
• A sworn affidavit from a professional social worker, counselor, or attorney

Filing a Good Cause claim stays child support enforcement actions while the claim is reviewed. The state cannot contact the non-custodial parent about support while your waiver request is pending.

What Happens If You Refuse to Cooperate Without Good Cause

If you refuse to cooperate without an approved Good Cause Waiver, your KCSP application or benefits may be affected. Ask DCFS or a legal aid attorney how the cooperation rules apply to your case.

If You Need Help

Free legal assistance with Good Cause Waiver filings and child support issues is available through Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (800-349-0886, serving 22 parishes) and Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (1-866-275-2572, serving 42 parishes).

The Louisiana Kinship Financial Help guide covers the child support requirement alongside every other aspect of the KCSP application, including a section on preparing Good Cause documentation before you need it.

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