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Chapter: 2200 Standard Filing Unit Program: TCA 21 2220.0405.01 Needs May be Included (TCA) The specified relative or caretaker relative can choose to include or exclude the needs of any individual whose needs are not required to be included in the standard filing unit (SFU). The specified relative or caretaker relative can choose to include or exclude their own needs unless they are in the three month (minimum) penalty period of a third or subsequent penalty for noncompliance with work requirement.

Passages 2220.0405.02 through 2220.0405.04 discuss whose needs may be included in the assistance group. 2220.0405.02 Stepsiblings May be Included (TCA) Any stepbrothers, stepsisters, or other children in the home who meet all TCA eligibility criteria may be included in the SFU. 2220.0405.03 Definition of an Essential Individual (TCA) Under SSI regulations, an essential individual is an individual whose presence in the household is considered necessary to provide care and services for the eligible SSI individual.

The only essential individual recognized by SSI in Florida is the non-recipient spouse whose needs, income, and assets were considered in determining eligibility and computing the Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) grant amount in December 1973. AABD was a state program prior to SSI.

Essential individuals do not themselves receive SSI; however, an amount is allocated for them in determining the eligible individual's SSI SFU. The income and assets of the essential individual are combined with those of the eligible individual in determining the SFU amount of the SSI individual.

In order to determine if an individual is considered an "essential individual," a contact must be made with the local SSA office. 2220.0405.04 Specified Relative May be Included (TCA) If the mother or father (legal or non-legal) is not in the home, the specified relative or caretaker relative has the option to be included in the SFU if the specified relative meets all eligibility criteria.

When the relative is married and the spouse is in the home, and neither spouse receives SSI, one spouse (whichever is the primary caretaker of the child(ren)) has the option to be included. If the relative is married and one spouse receives SSI, the other spouse has the option to be included, if the individual is not an essential individual for SSI purposes.

The relative who elects to receive cash assistance for the relative children under TCA “child only” coverage may be included in the Family-Related Medicaid filing unit and assistance group, if eligible.

Non-parent caretakers within the specified degree of relationship for TCA, who opt to receive foster care benefits for only the eligible child, may receive TCA and/or Family-Related Medicaid for themselves. The needs, income and assets of the foster child must be excluded from the TCA benefit determination of the foster parent (caretaker relative). The caretaker relative is treated the same as any other TCA-eligible caretaker relative with regard to income, assets, work activities and transitional child care (TCC).