WA state child custody and child support laws

Seattle, WA Viewed 109 times. Posted about 1 year ago in Family

Third party custody/child support: I have four children ages 3-12. I have full custody of 3 of them and the 4th (the 6 year old) is in 3rd party custody with his paternal grandparents. (it's a strange and sad case with a lot of injustices- not room here for all of it) They have an income of $9000 + a month and no other dependants, yet they are collecting welfare from the state of WA. Therefore the state of WA is coming after me for child support. There are issues I have with the order itself, but my initial question is: Are they allowed to continue collecting TANF even though they have legal custody of him? I know that while he is in dependency they are eligible, but does that eligibility continue indefinitely? - Is this your question? Add additional information

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Answers (2)

Yale Lewis III

This attorney is licensed in Washington. Posted about 1 year ago.

I am not an expert on TANF, but, my initial thought is, if they don't qualify, then they should not be getting TANF. I don't know what the eligibility requirements are, but I am sure that $9,000 + per month exceeds them.

lawyer

louisame1

Posted about 1 year ago.

In WA State, when there are children involved in dependency that have been placed by DSHS with a relative caregiver, the caregiver is eligible for what is called a "non-needy" TANF grant for the child regardless of their income. This money offests the costs of taking the child into their home, daycare, etc. They are only eligible if the State has placed the child in their care.