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Chapter: 1400 Technical Requirements Program: TCA 55 1420.0806 Verification/Documentation (TCA) The parent or relative’s explanation of his home setting, degree of responsibility and supervision of the child and statement that the child lives in the home are usually sufficient to establish eligibility on this factor. When the information is questioned, or when the parent/relative resides in a group facility, documentation/verification must be obtained. Sources for this include:

1. home visit by the eligibility specialist, 2. school records, or 3. collateral contacts with landlords, neighbors, or others in a position to know the child’s living arrangements, including the administrator of the group facility. 1420.0807 Temporary Absence from the Home (TCA) Temporary absences from the home of the child, parent, or relative of 30 days or less duration do not affect eligibility. Absences of more than thirty days do not affect eligibility when:

1. the parent or relative continues to exercise care and control of the child during the absence;

Note: Care and control are considered to exist when the parent/relative continues to have contact with the child through visits, phone calls or mail; and gives directions on the child’s care to the substitute caretaker. The child may be cared for in his own home or in the home of the substitute caretaker.

2. a definite plan exists for the absent child or parent/relative to return to the home at the end of the temporary period; and

3. the absence is not for a reason listed in passage 1420.0805.

If the temporary absence is due to out of home residential care, refer to passage 1420.0809 for the absence period allowed.

Note: The parent or relative’s statement concerning how the above conditions will be met during the period of absence is usually sufficient. When questioned, the eligibility specialist will secure additional facts from the individual with whom the child will live during the absence. 1420.0808 Children Who Remain Hospitalized (TCA) Children who remain hospitalized following delivery for medical care and do not immediately return to the home for this reason can be TCA eligible if other criteria for temporary absence from the home are met. 1420.0809 Temporary Absence in Residential Treatment Program (TCA) When the parent or caretaker relative is absent from the home due to out of home residential treatment not to exceed 150 days, the parent or caretaker relative shall continue to be a member of the assistance group regardless to whether the child(ren) are living in the residential treatment center. However the plan must be for the participant to resume care and control of the child(ren) at the conclusion of treatment. If the stay extends beyond 150 days the participant is no longer consider temporarily absent and the eligibility of the child(ren) must be explored in their current living arrangements. 1420.0810 Temporary Arrangement for Emergency Care (TCA) When the parent or relative in an active Temporary Cash Assistance case can no longer provide care for the child due to a crisis or emergency such as a serious illness, incarceration or death, the TCA benefit can be paid for 90 days only to a nonrelative who is looking after the children in