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o second cousin; or o niece or nephew; • stepfather or stepmother; and • spouse of any person named above even after the marriage is ended by death or divorce. The above people include relationships established by adoption. A court termination of parental rights negates that parent as an eligible relative, but the relationship between the child and other relatives (such as a grandmother) remains intact. Legal custody has no effect on relationship. Unrelated caretakers -- including legal guardians -- can, however, be included in the group at their option. AX: See AR. SR: N/A QM: N/A TANF See AR, except that an unrelated caretaker cannot be included in the group.

PATERNITY 5.5 MA N/A TANF Paternity must be established for a father before he can qualify for TANF based on being a child’s father. The SSR should accept the following circumstances as proof that paternity has been established: • mother and father were married either when the child was born or conceived; • judicial determination; • father's name on a D.C. birth certificate issued after October 8, 1981; • written acknowledgment by the father; or • genetic test indicating at least 99 percent probability of paternity. The SSR may establish paternity in additional ways if: • the child ever lived in another state; and • during that time, circumstances existed which established paternity according to the state's laws. In Maryland, additional ways are: • marriage after the birth and the father verbally acknowledged being the father, or • father openly acknowledges the child to be his. In Virginia, additional ways are: • father's name on a Virginia birth certificate issued after July 1, 1991; • father openly cohabitated with the mother during all of the 10 months prior to the child's birth; or • father claimed the child on any statement, tax return, or other document filed with any local, state, or federal agency.