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Karen Martin requests assistance for her 12-year-old daughter, Tammy Hall. Karen is divorced from Tammy's father and is remarried to Norman Martin. Karen and Norman have a common child, Jody, age three. Tammy is the dependent child around whom the AG is built. Karen is a mandatory AG member because of her parental relationship to Tammy. Jody is also a mandatory member of the AG because she has a half-sibling relationship to Tammy. Jody's inclusion in the AG requires that her father, Norman, be included. Even though Norman has no parental or sibling relationship to Tammy, his inclusion is mandatory because Jody's inclusion is mandatory.

The income and resources of mandatory participants are counted in the eligibility determination. 3215.05.10 TANF OPTIONAL AG PARTICIPANTS (C)

The AG may include the following individuals who live with the AG if otherwise eligible and the applicant/recipient so desires: • Other dependent children who are not mandatory participants; or • A caretaker relative other than a parent. In instances where a caretaker relative who has the responsibility for care and control and a parent live in the same home with the child, both individuals may be included in the AG. The parent is a mandatory participating member, while the caretaker relative has the option of being included.

If an optional individual chooses to be included in the AG as a participating member, their needs, income, and resources are counted in the eligibility determination.

Example:

Tom and Kathy Brown are married and live together with Kathy’s two (2) children from a previous relationship. Kathy has some issues, and they have indicated that Tom exercises ‘care & control’ of the children (his stepchildren). As the children’s stepparent, Tom does qualify as a specified relative. As he is exercising care & control, he has the option of being included in the AG. If he is included, his needs and income will be considered in the TANF eligibility determination. If he chooses not to be included, his income (if any) will be deemed to the AG.

Now they have reported that Kathy is to leave the household and Tom will be living alone with the children. Their marriage is still intact, and he may still choose as to whether he wants to be included in the AG.

Some months later, Tom reports that he & Kathy have divorced. In spite of this, he still qualifies as a specified relative (refer to section 2420.05.00), and maintains the option of being included in the AG.

3215.05.15 TANF MANDATORY NONPARTICIPATING AG MEMBERS (C)