Child support help can be obtained from the court system if a non-custodial parent refuses to pay. However, custodial parents sometimes find it necessary to hire an attorney or a private agency if the local courts are not aggressive enough in their attempts to collect support. The National Child Support Enforcement Agency provides information to parents all over the U.S. who need assistance collecting the support their child is owed. States cooperate with the federal government to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Some custodial parents turn to this program for child support help when they are struggling financially. This may happen when payments are minimal or when attempts to collect have been unsuccessful. Assistance can also be needed when paternity has not been established (without this information no support can be awarded). In such cases, the state may provide financial assistance to the custodial parent of the minor child and then seek reimbursement directly from the non-custodial parent. The state will attempt to identify the father in cases of unknown or disputed paternity.