Section 18A. The department shall impose the sanction required by federal law for any applicant or recipient of public assistance who fails, without good cause as defined by federal law, to cooperate and to continue to cooperate with the IV–D agency set forth in chapter one hundred and nineteen A to establish paternity or to establish, modify or enforce a child support order. An applicant or recipient may contest such sanction at a hearing before the department, but shall have the burden to prove cooperation with the IV–D agency by a preponderance of the evidence.
The IV–D agency shall determine whether an applicant or recipient has cooperated, and is continuing to cooperate, with the IV–D agency. An applicant or recipient shall be deemed not to have cooperated if the applicant or recipient fails, without such good cause, to furnish a sworn statement setting forth sufficient verifiable information about the noncustodial parent or, if more than one person may be the noncustodial parent, about each such person. Such information shall include the name and the social security number of the noncustodial parent, or the name of the noncustodial parent and at least two of the following items for the noncustodial parent: date of birth; address; telephone number; name and address of employer; names of parents; and the manufacturer, model and license number of any motor vehicle owned by the noncustodial parent. An applicant or recipient who knowingly provides false information to the IV–D agency shall be subject to prosecution for perjury.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title II - Executive and Administrative Officers of the Commonwealth
Chapter 18 - Department of Transitional Assistance
Section 1 - Department of Transitional Assistance
Section 2 - Comprehensive Financial Assistance Program; Services
Section 2a - Food Stamp Employment and Training Plan; Maximization of Federal 50–50 Match Program
Section 2b - Educational Program; Services
Section 3 - Commissioner; Appointment; Qualifications; Salary
Section 4 - Deputy Commissioner; Assistant Commissioners; Qualifications; Salaries; Succession; Bond
Section 5 - Organization of Department; Regional Offices; Community Service Areas
Section 5b - False Representations or Failure to Disclose Facts; Penalty
Section 5c - Vendors' Bill for Services; Perjury
Section 5d - Vendors; Violations
Section 5e - Return of Unlawful Payments
Section 5f - Father's Leaving Family to Obtain Assistance; Penalty
Section 5g - Claimant; Subrogation
Section 5l - Food Stamp Benefits Trafficking; Penalty
Section 5m - Organizational Food Stamp Benefits Trafficking; Penalty
Section 5n - Fraud Hotline; Sign Display
Section 7 - Community Service Area Boards
Section 8 - Civil Service Status of Commissioners; Restoration
Section 9 - Employees of Department; Delegation of Responsibilities
Section 10 - Reports; Rules and Regulations; Federal Aid
Section 11 - Lists of Recipients; Publication; Records; Rules and Regulations
Section 14 - Reciprocal Agreements
Section 18 - Reimbursement of Department; Recipient Arrearages; Furniture Payments
Section 18a - Failure of Custodial Parent to Cooperate With Iv–d Agency
Section 19 - Eviction From Furnished Apartment; Furniture; Relocation
Section 20 - Purchase of Home or Income Producing Property
Section 21 - Support and Maintenance; Subrogation of Department; Termination of Assistance; Notice
Section 22 - Verification of Categorical and Financial Eligibility
Section 26 - Direct Payment of Rent; Public Housing; Appeal
Section 27 - Direct Payment of Rent; Request of Landlord or Recipient
Section 27a - Direct Deposit of Assistance Checks at Banking Institutions; Option of Recipient
Section 29 - Repayment of Fraudulently Obtained Assistance; Lien
Section 30 - Overpayments of Assistance; Repayment Agreement; Assignment of Income
Section 31 - Job Diversion Program; Services
Section 32 - Participation in Pathways to Self-Sufficiency Program Required; Exceptions
Section 33 - Providing of Social Security Number Required; Exceptions; Penalty for Noncompliance
Section 34 - Tracking of Outcomes of Individuals Served by Training and Employment Service Programs
Section 35 - Availability of Caseworker via Telephone to Recipient of Cash Assistance
Section 36 - Fraud Detection Program