Cases Needing Paternity Establishment

How This Program Helps

Paternity must be established before child support can begin. This step can happen at any time before a child turns 18. 

Types of Cases

Operating under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, Child Support handles two types of cases based on a family’s situation:

• Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding
• Families not receiving TANF (Non-TANF)

Data Notes

• A case may include more than one child who needs paternity established.
• TANF: cases receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding 
• Non-TANF: cases not receiving TANF funding

Data Sources

Automated Program to Enforce Child Support (APECS)