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MISSISSIPPI NOTE: A new 10-month period to add new children is allowed only when the family has been off TANF assistance for at least 12 consecutive months. Existing children are subject to the cap period applicable to them based on date of birth, unless exempt from this provision at reapplication. ADDING NEW CHILDREN TO THE ONGOING CASE The fact that a child will not be eligible for a benefit due to the family cap does not change the family’s requirement to report the birth of the child as required at the next review. Capped children are still part of the assistance unit. An interview with the grantee relative to add the child to the case is required. All eligibility criteria apply to a child under family cap and must be verified as appropriate for any member of the assistance unit. The capped child is coded “IN” the TANF budget but will have a family cap code of “NE”. On the PRAW screen in MAVERICS, the capped child will

3152 FINANCIAL CRITERIA: FAMILY BENEFIT CAP]

Revised 08-01-06

have a code of “1”. The grantee relative must cooperate with child support on the capped child. The family may qualify for work exemption and child care assistance on the basis of this child as well. Child care expenses for capped children are allowed as a dependent care deduction. Capped children are not excluded from food stamp eligibility. Eligibility for other programs should be explained to the parent when adding a child to TANF. INCOME OF CAPPED CHILDREN Though capped children are considered part of the assistance unit, their income is not included in the TANF budget. Any income attributed to a capped child must be coded by the child in MAVERICS. The income will not count in TANF, but will be included in the household’s food stamp budget. For example, child support paid directly to the PI for a family cap child must be coded by that child in MAVERICS so that the income will not count in the TANF budget. EXPLANATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION It is the responsibility of the worker interviewing the grantee relative to explain family cap requirements. The family cap date must be entered on the MDHS-EA-312, Personal