Evidence of Good Cause (Archive)

Caretakers who claim good cause for not cooperating with medical support requirements must provide evidence for their claim.

Role of the Worker.

Possible Evidence of Good Cause.

Related Topics.

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Role of the Worker

The good cause committee or health care program worker will ask caretakers who claim good cause to provide evidence to support the good cause claim within 20 days of filing the claim. The good cause committee may allow additional time for caretakers who are having difficulty getting evidence. Follow your agency's procedures.

l  Help the caretaker determine what type of evidence is available to support his or her good cause claim.

l  Assist the caretaker in getting the evidence if needed.

n  Pay any necessary costs from MA or MinnesotaCare administrative funds.

l  Explain that:

n  Submitting evidence does not guarantee a finding of good cause, and

n  Lack of third party evidence does not result in an automatic denial of the claim.

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Possible Evidence of Good Cause

Evidence to support a good cause claim may include but is not limited to:

l  A birth certificate or medical or law enforcement record that shows the child was conceived as a result of rape or incest.

Note:  Birth certificates rarely specify these circumstances. A birth certificate with no father's name shown is not sufficient evidence without other documentation.

l  Court documents or other records that show legal actions for adoption are pending in court.

l  Court, medical, criminal, child protective services, social services, domestic violence, psychological or law enforcement records that show the alleged father or obligor might cause physical harm to the caretaker or child.

l  Medical or emotional health records that show cooperation with medical support requirements may cause physical or emotional harm to the caretaker or child.

l  Statements or letters from an agency which is working with the caretaker in deciding whether to place the child for adoption.

l  Notarized statements from friends, neighbors, clergy, social workers, medical professionals or others who are aware of the good cause circumstances.

l  At a minimum, a written statement from the caretaker describing the good cause circumstances.

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Related Topics

For further information, see:

Good Cause for Non-Cooperation.

Initial Good Cause Determinations.

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