General Assistance for Children program.

(a) A General Assistance for Children program is established to provide the same benefits for a child as the child would receive under TANF if the child’s caretaker could demonstrate a family relationship with the child that is required in the TANF program. The needs of a caretaker shall not be considered when determining of an assistance unit’s GAC benefits. A caretaker of a child receiving GAC shall not be considered a GAC recipient, or a member of the GAC assistance unit, even if the caretaker receives the payment on the child’s behalf.

(b) In order to be eligible for GAC assistance benefits an applicant must pursue all available federal benefits prior to approval of GAC benefits.

(c) All provisions of this chapter that apply to determinations of eligibility for and payments of TANF shall apply to determinations of eligibility for and payments of GAC, except that:

(1) The income, assets, and resources of the caretaker shall not be considered in determining eligibility of the assistance unit for GAC; and

(2) An assistance unit headed by a minor shall be ineligible to receive GAC.

(c-1)

(1) GAC benefits shall only be provided for a child if the child’s caretaker can produce authorization from the child’s legally responsible relative or a court of competent jurisdiction designating the applicant as the temporary or permanent caretaker for the child, to the extent such authorization is reasonably obtainable by the caretaker. The Mayor shall specify what constitutes a valid authorization, but shall not require as a condition of eligibility that any specific court action is required concerning the care of the child.

(2) Where authorization from the child’s legally responsible relative is not reasonably obtainable by the caretaker, the caretaker may offer other proof of a custodial relationship between the caretaker and the child. Proof may include, but is not limited to, leases indicating that the child lives with the caretaker, medical records, or school records bearing the caretaker’s signature or affidavits from teachers, social workers, medical staff, or other professionals involved in the family’s life.

(d) Repealed.

(e) The earnings of a GAC program child who is a full-time student and who is employed full-time or part-time, or who is a part-time student and who is employed part-time, shall be disregarded.

(f) The following amounts shall be disregarded from the gross monthly earnings of a GAC program child who is a part-time student and employed full-time: The first $7.50, mandatory payroll deductions, and the cost of producing income, as determined by rule by the Mayor.

(g) If the source of income is other than that provided for in subsection (d), (e), or (f) of this section, no more than $7.50 shall be disregarded.

(h) The Mayor shall issue rules to implement this section in accordance with subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 .