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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2014

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). In addition, there are special living arrangement requirements for minor caregivers or pregnant women under age 18.

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.

LIVING ARRANGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Inform minor caregivers or pregnant women under age 18 of living arrangement requirements both orally and in writing. Use the brochure MFIP 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 adult-supervised supportive living arrangement in order to receive MFIP.

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

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.