Child Support Up-front Eligibility 400-19-35-15

(Revised 4/1/2026 Release 26.1)

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As a condition of eligibility, applicants are required to complete SFN 74, ‘Child Support Information’. The SFN 74 will be required from each caretaker against each absent parent for each child for whom TANF benefits are requested. The forms may be included with the information provided to TANF applicants with the application packet.  

 

SFN 74 forms remain valid for six (6) months from the original date they were signed. Therefore, if a family reapplies within the six (6) month period, a review of the existing forms kept in the casefile rather than completion of new forms will satisfy the Child Support Up-front eligibility requirement. The family must resign and redate the copies underneath the existing signature and date. The family must initial and date any changes made to the information previously supplied on the file copy. The ‘updated’ copies must be sent to the Child Support Division to meet the Child Support Up-front eligibility requirement.

Example: A family reapplies for TANF and adds a new child who has the same existing absent parent as a previous SFN 74, the family would update the most recently completed SFN 74 adding the new child.

 

Example: A family reapplies for TANF and adds a new child who has a different absent parent for which there is no SFN 74, the family would need to complete a new SFN 74 for the new child/absent parent. For other existing children, a review of the existing forms must be completed, the family must initial and date any changes and resign and date the forms.

The eligibility worker must review the integrated eligibility system for each child TANF is being requested to see if there is an outstanding Child Support Non-cooperation. If a reason of financial or paternity appears for any children included for TANF, there may be an outstanding issue that needs to be resolved prior to approval of the TANF application. The individual must contact the Regional Child Support Division office as the Child Support Up-front eligibility requirement will not be met until the issue is resolved.    

 

If the completed forms are received by the eligibility worker and there are no outstanding issues with the Child Support Division, Child Support Up-front eligibility requirements have been met.

 

Forms are to be sent to the Child Support Division Intake Unit within one day of being determined complete. The forms and any other additional information gathered can be sent as an attachment to an email: (dhscsreferrals@nd.gov) or in hard copy to Child Support Division, PO Box 7190, Bismarck, ND 58507-7190.

 

If requested, the eligibility worker must assist the individual in completing SFN 74. However, this form should be completed in the individual’s handwriting whenever possible. If completed forms are not received by the eligibility worker, the application must be denied.

 

The eligibility worker must determine whether the applicant made a genuine attempt to answer all questions and completed the forms to the best of their ability.

 

When an applicant answers the majority of questions as “Unknown”, the form must be reviewed with the applicant. Prudent person concept applies.

 

Additional information about the SFN 74 is available in section 400-19-165-10, SFN 74, Child Support Information.

 

Child Support Up-front eligibility does not apply when:

  1. Both parents of all eligible children are in the home as deprivation would be based on incapacity, disability, or age of one of the parents;

  2. A determination of good cause for non-cooperation with the Child Support Division is pending or has been granted.

Note: When a caretaker relative applies for TANF and claims good cause for a child, Child Support Up-front Eligibility does not apply to any absent parents associated to the child good cause has being claim for.

 

Note: The eligibility worker should request that the family complete the forms but cannot deny the application if the forms are not completed and returned.

This form is available as an e-form and may be signed electronically.

 

When a TANF application is denied and the family is eligible for Medicaid, SFN 74 should be forwarded to the Regional Child Support Division.