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Chapter: 1400 Technical Requirements Program: TCA 56 order to allow time to plan for ongoing care of the children. This care does not have to be provided in the family home. The children may reside with the nonrelative. 1420.1000 PREGNANCY (TCA) Pregnant women may be eligible for assistance even though the pregnant woman’s assistance group does not contain a child. 1420.1001 Pregnancy Policy (TCA) A pregnant woman may be eligible for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) due to pregnancy if:

1. she has no other children for whom assistance is requested, 2. the unborn is deprived, and 3. she is in her last month of pregnancy, or is in her third trimester and unable to participate in work activities.

Note: The third trimester begins the seventh month.

Example: If a woman is pregnant and due June 14, the third trimester would begin in April.

Note: Pregnant women residing in the home with deprived children applying for assistance will have their application for temporary cash determined on the needs of the assistance group regardless of their stage of pregnancy.

The father of the unborn child living in the home with no other children may not receive TCA under the two-parent policy until after the baby is born.

Pregnant women eligible for TCA must still work register unless they meet an exemption from work registration. 1420.1002 Verification of Pregnancy (TCA) The pregnant woman’s statement that she is in her last month of pregnancy is sufficient, unless questionable. When questionable, a written or verbal statement is required from a physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified nurse midwife or their designee that includes confirmation of pregnancy and the anticipated date of delivery. 1420.1003 Restrictions from Work - Pregnant Women in Third Trimester (TCA) To be eligible for Temporary Cash Assistance in the last trimester of pregnancy, a pregnant woman, with no other children in the home, must be unable to perform work or work activities. Verification from a licensed physician is required to support the individual’s claim of inability to perform work or work related activities. Acceptable verification is a written statement from a licensed physician. 1420.1400 REQUIREMENT TO FILE FOR OTHER BENEFITS (TCA) This chapter discusses the requirement to file for other benefits. 1420.1403 VA Improved Pension (TCA) Individuals receiving a VA pension in December 1978 were given the option of electing a higher “improved” pension. In some cases this “improved” pension caused those individuals to be ineligible for Temporary Cash Assistance. Congress passed an amendment subsequently allowing these individuals to elect the lower pension amount in order to retain their Temporary Cash Assistance eligibility.