UPM P-2515.35 - Determining if the Minor Parent Must Live With an Adult

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCEPRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL _____________________________________________________________________________ Date: 10-1-92 Transmittal: UP-93-4 P-2515.35 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Categorical Eligibility Requirements PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: Living with Specified Relative AFDC _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Determining if the Minor Parent Must Live With an Adult ______________________________________________________________________________

P-2515.35 1. Explore the minor parent's current living arrangement. Consider such things as:

° Does the minor parent live with anyone?

° If yes, what is the relationship between that person and the minor parent?

° If the minor parent does not live with anyone, try to find out why.

° Would the minor parent be able to return to his or her parent's home?

° Is there an adult relative with whom the minor parent could live?

° How long has the minor parent lived on his or her own?

° Does he or she rent a room, apartment, live in a shelter, etc.?

° Does the minor parent go to school or work?

2. Evaluate the answers to the questions described in #1 in light of the policy.

3. Consider that the minor parent has met the requirement if he or she lives with:

° a parent

° a legal guardian

° an adult relative, including paternal relatives of the dependent child. Remember, paternity has to be acknowledged or adjudicated in order for the paternal relationships to be established.

4. Consider the situations listed below as exemptions that can be determined by obtaining verification and do not require DHR's involvement.

° the minor parent has lived on his or her own for at least one year

° the minor parent's parents or legal guardian are deceased

° the minor parent does not know the whereabouts of the parents or legal guardian

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL _____________________________________________________________________________ Date: 10-1-92 Transmittal: UP-92-32 P-2515.35 page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Categorical Eligibility Requirements PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: Living with Specified Relative AFDC _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Determining if the Minor Parent Must Live With an Adult ______________________________________________________________________________

P-2515.35 4. (continued)

° the minor has been emancipated by a court

° the minor parent is participating in a vocational or educational program or has employment that is not located within a reasonable distance from the home of the parent or legal guardian

° the parent or legal guardian lives in another state or country

5. Even if the minor parent meets one of the exemptions in #3, refer to DHR to evaluate whether the minor parent is able to cope sufficiently in his or her current arrangement or if that ability would be enhanced by living with another suitable adult. Make referrals at any time, but only if the client agrees to be referred.

6. If the minor parent does not meet one of the exemptions listed in #3 and the Eligibility Worker cannot determine whether or not the minor parent is otherwise exempt, and the minor parent does not live in an appropriate living arrangement, make a referral to DHR. Do not complete a determination of eligibility for AFDC without DHR's response. Examples of situations requiring referrals are:

° the minor parent lives with an unrelated adult

° the minor parent says he or she wants to live on his or her own

° the minor parent and the parent or legal guardian do not get along

° the parent will not assume responsibility for the minor

° the parent cannot control the minor parent

° the minor parent states that returning to the parent or legal guardian's home would jeopardize the physical or mental safety of the minor parent or the dependent child.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF INCOME MAINTENANCE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL _____________________________________________________________________________ Date: 10-1-92 Transmittal: UP-93-4 P-2515.35 page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Categorical Eligibility Requirements PROCEDURES ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: Living with Specified Relative AFDC _______________________________________________________________ Subject: Determining if the Minor Parent Must Live With an Adult ______________________________________________________________________________

P-2515.35 7. Consider the following as examples of evidence that indicate that the physical or mental health or safety of the minor parent or of the dependent child would be jeopardized:

° there is a substantiated report of abuse or neglect

° a neglect petition has been filed

° the minor parent has made a statement that has been corroborated by an adult, or substantiated through agency investigation

° the minor parent's return results in the family living arrangement becoming overcrowded, violating the terms of a lease, or violating local health or safety standards

8. If the minor parent is clearly not exempt from the requirement, and refuses to return to his or her parent's home, or to another suitable living arrangement, consider that the minor parent has not met this eligibility requirement.

9. If the minor parent does not wish to be involved with DHR, evaluate the living arrangement according to policy and determine if the minor parent is meeting the requirement, or is exempt from the requirement.

10. Use form W-171, "Referral to DHR for Assessment," to refer a case to DHR. Complete side one of the form.

11. If eligibility cannot be established without DHR's recommendation, indicate on the form that this is a Priority #1.

12. If AFDC has been granted, and the referral is only to help the minor parent connect with DHR, send the referral form and indicate that this is a Priority #2.

13. If AFDC has been denied, but the minor parent wants to be involved with DHR, send the referral form and indicate that this is a Priority #2.

14. DHR will complete side two of the form when they have completed their investigation, and return it to DIM.

15. Consider this recommendation along with all other available information when making a decision with respect to this eligibility requirement.