Page 159

Refusal of the adult to submit to the questionnaire will lead to denial of the TANF application. If results of the questionnaire indicate the reasonable likelihood that abuse of a controlled substance exists, the adult will be required to take a drug test. Results of the SASSI are strictly confidential and must not be shared with persons outside the agency at any point prior to or after disclosure to the TANF adult. Volume III | Chapter 3

MISSISSIPPI [NON-FINANCIAL CRITERIA: INTRODUCTION] Revised 07-01-19 Disclosure of the questionnaire results are to be shared with the TANF household only at the point of case approval. A positive drug test will require the adult to satisfactorily participate in a drug treatment program in order for the adult to continue to receive TANF benefits. EXPLANATION OF TERMS In the discussion in this chapter, a number of items require definition as to the meaning involved as these terms are used in the material. The terms and definitions are given below. Dependent Child For TANF purposes, a dependent child is a child under the age of eighteen (18), regardless of marital status, who is living with a parent or other caretaker relative in a place of residence maintained as his or their own home. Emancipation In certain situations, the court may grant an order of emancipation or relief of minority to remove the minor from parental care and to allow the minor to act on his own behalf as an adult. Also, when a child marries, he has in effect emancipated himself from the state of minority. An emancipated minor will not be considered a minor child unless he is living in the home of his parent or other specified relative. Home Home is defined as the family setting maintained or in the process of being established by a parent or other adult within the specified degree of relationship who assumes responsibility for the child’s welfare. Usually the child shares the same household with the relative. However, the requirement for “living with” and the definition of home are not confined to the occupation of the physical household by the child and relative provided there is a valid reason for the child or relative to be away and the absence will be temporary. Caretaker Relative The caretaker relative is the individual who is within the specified degree of relationship of the child(ren) and who exercises control and supervision over the assistance child(ren). The caretaker relative is always the legal parent when the legal parent is in the home. The caretaker relative is the 3006