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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 06/2021

REQUIREMENTS FOR CAREGIVERS UNDER 20

0012.06

change in circumstances which justifies a new referral and determination.

● An adult-supervised supportive living arrangement is not available for the minor caregiver and the minor child in the county in which the minor caregiver currently resides. If such an arrangement becomes available within the county, the minor caregiver and child must reside in that arrangement.

If a minor caregiver is not living with a parent or legal guardian due to meeting an exemption in the 1st, 2nd, or 4th bullet above, the minor caregiver must reside, when possible, in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement. Social services will help the minor caregiver (in consultation with the family of the minor caregiver, when appropriate) locate an appropriate adult supervised supportive living arrangement.

When a minor caregiver and minor child live with the minor caregiver's parent, another adult relative, a legal guardian or legal custodian, or in an approved adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, MFIP must be paid, when possible, in the form of a protective payment on behalf of the minor caregiver and minor child. See 0024.09 (Protective and Vendor Payments).

Re-evaluate the living arrangement at recertification and when there is a change in living arrangement or household composition. The living arrangement requirement applies ONLY through the month of the minor parent's 18th birthday.

EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES REQUIREMENTS

Unless exempt, caregivers under age 18 without a high school diploma or GED must attend school. See 0028.12 (Education Requirements).

Counties must allow 18- and 19-year old parents who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent to choose an Employment Plan (EP) with an education option.

An education option means the EP includes education requirements (high school or its equivalent). The 60-month clock STOPS for 18- and 19 year old parents who choose this option. Plans that include both secondary school attendance and work fall under this option, see 0017.15.15 (Income of Minor Child/Caregiver Under 20).

Without an education option means the EP includes activities under the regular Employment Services track. The 60-month clock DOES NOT stop for 18- and 19 year old parents who choose this option, see 0017.15.15 (Income of Minor Child/Caregiver Under 20).

County and Employment Services staff working with 18- and 19-year old parents should explain the new options and make specific efforts to inform those who are in sanction for not attending school that this may be a way to come into compliance.

Refer minor caregivers under age 18 to social services within 30 days of approving MFIP, or to the agency with whom your county has contracted to provide minor caregiver services. The minor caregiver must cooperate in developing and participating in an educational progress assessment and an Employment Plan (EP). See 0028.06.03 (Who Must Participate in Empl. Services/SNAP E&T), 0028.12 (Education Requirements), 0028.15 (Employment Plan (EP)).

Emancipated minor parents do not have the option to choose between education and employment. If they DO NOT have a high school diploma or GED they are subject to education requirements. If they HAVE a diploma or GED, they are subject to the regular employment services track. For the definition of emancipated minor, see 0002.19 (Glossary: Early...).

Follow the sanction procedure in 0028.30 (Sanctions for Failure to Comply - Cash) for minor caregivers and 18- and 19 year old caregivers who fail to cooperate with education or social service requirements.

DWP: Caregivers 18 or 19 years of age WITHOUT a high school diploma or its equivalent who choose to have an Employment Plan WITH an education option, follow MFIP. If only 1 parent in a 2-parent family meets these criteria, the family must participate in DWP. For more information on caregivers under 20, see 0013.05 (DWP Bases of Eligibility).