3028.2 Optional Composition of Assistance Units

1. In TANF the dependent child, and if residing in the home and otherwise eligible, the child's blood-related or adoptive minor siblings, and the child's natural or adoptive parent(s) must be included in the unit. When both parents of the dependent child are in the home, both parents must be included in the unit regardless of their marital status. In a case where paternity has not been legally established, the putative father must acknowledge paternity as a condition of eligibility. A non-parent needy caretaker relative may be included in the unit if the caretaker so chooses. The needy legal spouse of a caretaker relative may be included in the unit only if the caretaker is the natural or adoptive parent of the child(ren), and the caretaker is incapacitated or is the principal wage earner and qualifies as an unemployed parent. 2. In TANF married/civil union couple cases, where each adult has children from previous relationships that are eligible for TANF, include the family in one TANF unit. If the couple has children in common who are also eligible for TANF, include these children in the unit also. 3. In TANF married, civil union, or unmarried couple cases where each adult has children from previous relationships who are eligible for TANF, they have the option of being in one assistance unit or two separate assistance units. If the unit fails financially, a separate assistance unit may be established for the child(ren) of the previous relationships. EXAMPLE: A couple each have a child from previous relationships. Initially, we place all the family members into one TANF assistance unit. Income from Partner A’s job makes the family ineligible for TANF. We have the option of placing Partner B and his or her child from a previous relationship into a TANF assistance unit. In this scenario, if the couple were married/in a civil union, a step-parent situation would exist. If the couple were not married/in a civil union, eligibility is based solely on the information from Partner B and his or her child. 4. When a couple has a child in common and each partner has a child from a previous relationship, the couple, the child in common, and the other children will initially be placed in one TANF assistance unit. The siblings keep this as one assistance unit. 5. A pregnant woman, with no other children, may receive TANF beginning on the first day of the month that her child is expected to be born, if the woman meets all other technical and financial eligibility requirements, and her expected due date has been verified by a physician. The child is added to the unit, and a supplemental grant is effective the date of its birth if the birth is reported within five (5) days. If the birth is not reported within five (5) days, the child is added to the unit and the grant is effective as of the date of the report. The child's father, if he is otherwise eligible, is also added using these guidelines. Procedures for completing supplemental applications for newborns are outlined in DSSM 2000.6.5. (See DSSM 4010 Determining Financial Eligibility and Grant Amounts for Pregnant Women in TANF and GA) A pregnant woman who plans to place her child for adoption is eligible for TANF beginning the 1st day of the month her child is due, assuming she meets all other eligibility requirements. If she still plans to terminate her parental rights after the child is born, the child cannot be added to the assistance unit and the child is not eligible for Medicaid. In this instance, the TANF case is closed at the end of the month that the birth occurs. 6. If a child receiving SSI is the only child in the home, the child's caretaker relative can receive TANF if the child is deprived of parental care. The caretaker's needy legal spouse can receive TANF if the caretaker is the child's natural or adoptive parent and the caretaker is incapacitated or qualifies as an unemployed parent. 7. For GA eligible adults, include the adult. The adult's spouse or UMP is also included if the spouse or partner also meets a condition of unemployability. 8. A woman who has a verified pregnancy and receives a GA check the month she delivers her child is eligible for TANF that month for herself and her child if she reports the birth to DSS, and she meets all other TANF technical and financial eligibility requirements. The TANF grant is effective the date of the child's birth if the birth is reported within five (5) days. The TANF grant is effective the date of the report if the birth is not reported within five (5) days. If the pregnancy had not been verified, the TANF grant is effective the date the birth is verified. 14 DE Reg. 304 (10/01/10) 15 DE Reg. 1498 (04/01/12)