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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 06/2021

REQUIREMENTS FOR CAREGIVERS UNDER 20

0012.06

MFIP: There are special educational and social service requirements for caregivers under age 20 who are birth or adoptive parents of a minor child in the home (custodial parents) or are pregnant. In addition, there are special living arrangement requirements for minor caregivers or pregnant women under age 18. For the definition of CAREGIVER, see 0002.09 (Glossary: Calendar Month…).

LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Inform minor caregivers or pregnant women under age 18 of living arrangement requirements both orally and in writing. Use the brochure Minnesota Family Investment Program for minor caregivers (DHS-3238) (PDF). Advise them of the possible exemptions.

Minor caregivers or pregnant women under age 18 are required to live with a parent, legal guardian, other appropriate adult relative or other caregiver, or in an approved adult-supervised supportive living arrangement in order to receive MFIP.

NOTE: The living arrangement requirements DO NOT apply to emancipated minors.

Only pregnant women under age 18 who are emancipated or living in an approved adult supervised supportive living arrangement may be eligible for MFIP as a caregiver, if all other eligibility criteria are met.

When 2 unmarried minor caregivers live together with their minor child: ● At least 1 minor caregiver must meet the living arrangement requirement in order for the minor child along with the minor caregiver to receive MFIP. The minor caregiver who does not meet the living arrangement requirement is not eligible for MFIP but may be eligible for Uncle Harry Food Support.

If neither minor caregiver meets the living arrangement requirement, there is no MFIP eligibility for the unit.

● If BOTH minor caregivers meet the living arrangement requirement, they are both eligible along with the child to receive MFIP. In addition, they must establish paternity by completing the Recognition of Parentage (ROP) or by adjudication.

● When the 2 minor caregivers live with 1 of the caregiver’s parent(s), the minor caregiver who is not related to the parental household is not eligible for MFIP, unless the county has approved this living arrangement. If the county does not approve the living arrangement, the unrelated minor caregiver is not eligible for MFIP but may get Uncle Harry Food Support.

Also see 0014.03.03 (Determining the Cash Assistance Unit).

If a minor caregiver or pregnant woman under age 18 claims that 1 of the exemptions listed below applies to him/her, assist the minor in obtaining the necessary verifications. Minor caregivers who meet 1 of the following criteria are exempt from the living arrangement requirements: ● The minor caregiver has no living parent, other appropriate adult relative, or legal guardian whose whereabouts are known. If a minor parent claims this exemption, refer the case to social services for an evaluation. Use the Referral of Minor Parent to Social Services (DHS-2882) (PDF).

● No living parent, other appropriate adult relative, or legal guardian of the minor parent allows the minor parent to live in his/her home. If a minor parent claims this exemption, refer the case to social services for an evaluation. Use the Referral of Minor Parent to Social Services (DHS-2882) (PDF).

● The minor caregiver has lived apart from his/her own parent or legal guardian for a period of at least 1 year before either the birth of the minor child or the minor parent's application for MFIP.

● The physical or emotional health or safety of the minor caregiver or minor child would be jeopardized if the minor caregiver and minor child resided in the same residence with the minor caregiver's parent(s), other appropriate adult relative, or legal guardian. If a minor caregiver claims this exemption, use the DHS-2882 to refer the case to Child Protection Services for an evaluation. A new referral is not necessary if one has been made within the last 6 months, unless there has been a significant