1810.020.20.10 Relationship of Child to Parent or Caretaker Relative – DSS Manuals

IM-155 December 1, 2017

42 CFR 435.4 defines a parent or caretaker relative as a relative of a dependent child by blood, adoption, or marriage with whom the child is living , who assumes primary responsibility for the child’s care, and who is one of the following:

The child’s father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother (including half), sister (including half), stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, or niece.

The spouse of such parent or relative, even after the marriage is terminated by death or divorce.

Only a parent or caretaker relative as defined above may receive MHF benefits.

The custodial parent/caretaker relative may claim the child as a dependent on income taxes, but is not required to.