Paternity testing in the United States has become big business.  But why do so many people need it in the first place?  Most paternity testing is done for financial reasons to provide for a child’s basic needs.  The increasing number of out-of-wedlock births (nearly 41%) has put a huge burden on taxpayers who must provide welfare payments and food stamps to the single mothers and their children who are not able to support themselves or their children without the financial income of a second parent. We are all supporting these children.  The government has tried to curtail this expense by requiring that when a woman obtains public assistance for her child, she MUST name the possible fathers (Title IVD of the federal Social Security Act, Aid to Families with Dependent Children).   Improved technology has also made it more affordable and more reliable.   

Establishing paternity can be sticky enough without a missing or deceased, alleged father.  If a single, pregnant woman or a single mother hasn’t been able to or hasn’t wanted to have the child’s father named and tested, it may seem that it’s too late when he’s out of the picture.   The good news is that it isn’t too late and there are other testing options to formally have a man listed as the child’s father.  Although it is too late to have the father provide child support, there are still ways that having the father identified can help to support the child. 

To obtain social security or military death benefits, insurance benefits or settle an inheritance claim there are several methods for determining paternity:

Paternity Test Using a Blood Sample or Blood Stain Card: The specimen may be a blood sample or blood stain card from the medical examiner, or a specimen collected immediately after the time of death.  The ability to maintain chain-of-custody for the alleged father’s sample is critical for seeking social security benefits.

Grandpaternity Test: This test compares genetic information collected from samples obtained from the mother, child and paternal grandmother and grandfather.

Y Chromosome Test: This test can be used if the child is male, and if there is another immediate, male family member related to the alleged father.  The biological, paternal family member may be a brother, grandfather or another male that shares the same paternal lineage. A Y Chromosome Test is more robust and better accepted if combined with another type of DNA family relationship test.

ANY LAB TEST NOW®‘s DNA testing options provide confidential, accurate tests along with chain-of-custody documentation that is legally admissible in court.  The ability to provide children with financial support that they are entitled to can make a very real difference in their long-term ability to complete school and be a working, contributing member of society.