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(MRG) UPDATED: AUGUST 1999 20 CATEGORICAL FACTORS ADC-RELATED DEPRIVATION OF PARENTAL SUPPORT OR CARE CONTINUED ABSENCE Policy: When a child is deprived of parental support and/or care due to the continued absence of one or both parents, the child and the remaining parent or caretaker relative are ADC-related. The A/R must meet all other requirements to be eligible for Medicaid. Generally, when a child is deprived of parental support/care due to the absence of a parent, the A/R is referred to IV-D, to establish paternity and/or secure medical support. (See OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE RELATIVES PARENTS AND CHILDREN IV-D REQUIRMENTS) References: SSL Sect. 366.1(a)(5) Dept. Reg. 360-3.3(b)(5) Interpretation: Continued absence of a parent exists when one or both parents are not living with the child. The absence must interrupt or terminate the parent's ability to function as a provider of maintenance and/or care for the child. The following are examples of continued absence. Imprisonment - A parent is incarcerated. Divorce, annulment, or legal separation - Custody of the child, support, alimony and other financial arrangements are usually agreed upon and established by a court. Abandonment or desertion - A parent has left or never lived in the child's home. The absent parent may or may not be contributing to the care and maintenance of the child. There is no legal agreement. Removal from custody - A child is removed from the custody of his/her parent(s) by court order. For the purpose of establishing eligibility for Medicaid, continued absence only exists when the duration and/or nature of the parent's absence interrupts or stops the parent from providing maintenance, physical care, and/or guidance to the child. When the parent's absence is of the duration and/or nature that s/he is still functioning as the A/R's parent, continued absence can