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[NON-

3201

MISSISSIPPI FINANCIAL CRITERIA: DEPRIVATION]

Revised 08-01-06

of parental support and care when one or both of the parents is determined to be incapacitated. The definition of incapacity should not be interpreted to include individuals who are merely unemployed. The two-parent family in which neither parent claims a disability must be handled under TANF-UP deprivation requirements. However, if either parent in a two-parent family claims a work exemption based on incapacity, eligibility for TANF (basic) must be determined on the incapacity deprivation factor. If the Medical Review process is used for determination of incapacity as a basis for deprivation, exemption from the TANF Work Program will be decided at the same time, without a separate request. Also, qualifying for SSI and/or RSDI on the basis of age does not constitute automatic incapacity. This must be established for the older parent as for any other parent. Definition Incapacity is defined as a physical or mental defect, illness, or impairment which prevents an individual for the most part from engaging in his usual occupation or a similar one. In order to be considered eligible on the basis of incapacity, the condition must: 1. Make the individual totally disabled to work in the individual's usual occupation or a similar one, or 2. Prevent the individual for the most part from performing useful work in the individual's usual occupation or similar one. That is, the condition is such that the individual is unable to work full-time in work that is within his competence to perform and which is available in the community, or if working full-time, must accept lower wages because the individual's physical or mental limitations prevent the individual from fulfilling all the responsibilities of the work. 3. Be expected to last for a period of 30 days or more. The inability to work, whether total or for the most part, may be caused by either a permanent impairment or a temporary illness or injury.