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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2014

CONVERTING A PREGNANT WOMAN CASE

0008.06.12.09

MFIP: These procedures apply when you are converting a Pregnant Woman case to a regular case when the child is born.

A pregnant woman and her spouse may be eligible for assistance. A pregnant woman cannot get a grant alone (or with her spouse) if she has other birth, step, or adoptive children living with her. See 0013.03.03 (Pregnant Woman Basis – MFIP/DWP), 0014.03 (Determining the Assistance Unit), 0014.03.03 (Determining the Cash Assistance Unit).

IF THE PREGNANT WOMAN LIVES ALONE

Take a Combined Application Form (CAF) Addendum (DHS-5223C) (PDF). Add the newborn retroactive to the 1st day of the month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence), or the 1st of the month an addendum is filed, whichever is later. Make a referral to child support. See 0008.06.06 (Adding a Person to the Unit - Cash), 0012.21.03 (Support From Non-Custodial Parents), 0014.09 (Assistance Units Temporary Absence).

NOTE: If the pregnant woman is married to a military person who is out of the home on military duty, do not make a Child Support Referral when there is no breakdown in the marital relationship.

IF THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S SPOUSE IS IN THE HOME

Take a Combined Application Form (CAF) Addendum (DHS-5223C) (PDF). Add the newborn retroactive to the 1st day of the month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence), or the 1st of the month an addendum is filed, whichever is later. See 0008.06.06 (Adding a Person to the Unit - Cash), 0014.09 (Assistance Units Temporary Absence).

IF THE PREGNANT WOMAN IS NOT MARRIED AND THE CHILD'S ALLEGED FATHER IS IN THE HOME

1. After the child is born, if the parents have not signed the Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage form (DHS-3159) (PDF) at the hospital, offer them the opportunity to establish paternity by signing the DHS 3159. If the parents sign the form, continue with Step 2.

If they do not sign the form, the mother and her newborn may be eligible even if the alleged father is in the home. Take an addendum for the newborn. Add the newborn retroactive to the 1st day of the month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence), or the 1st of the month an addendum is filed, whichever is later. Make a referral to child support.

See 0008.06.06 (Adding a Person to the Unit - Cash), 0008.06.07 (Adding a Person to the Unit - SNAP), 0012.21.03 (Support From Non-Custodial Parents), 0014.09 (Assistance Units Temporary Absence).

2. When the parents sign the Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage form (DHS-3159) (PDF), take an addendum for the newborn and the father. Determine eligibility and benefits for the full month, adding the newborn and including the father's needs and income. The unit must be prospectively eligible. Eligibility for the father and newborn is retroactive to the 1st day of the month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence), or the 1st of the month an addendum is filed, OR the date the unit meets all other eligibility factors, whichever is later.

See 0014.09 (Assistance Units Temporary Absence), 0015 (Assets), 0017 (Determining Gross Income), 0018 (Determining Net Income), 0020 (Net Income Limits), 0022 (Budgeting and Benefit Determination).

3. Issue the difference between the amount determined in Step 2 and the amount already issued, if any. Do not cite an overpayment for the 1st month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence). See 0014.09 (Assistance Units - Temporary Absence), 0025 (Benefit Adjustments and Recovery).