Good Cause

A legal reason for which a Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipient is excused from cooperating with the child support enforcement process, such as past physical harm by the child’s father. It also includes situations where rape or incest resulted in the conception of the child and situations where the mother is considering placing the child for adoption.

(See also: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; IV-A Case)

Source: Office of Child Support Enforcement.

A reason for not trying to collect support from the father, usually because the father may be a threat to the mother and child(ren).

Source: Office of Child Support Enforcement

Last reviewed October 2022