Page 38

Child Care Scholarship Policy Manual 38

2.1.7 FAMILY DEFINITION All family members are identified in order to determine the family household unit and the gross monthly income. For eligibility purposes, the family household unit is defined as the number of persons counted as indicated below who reside in the same household and who may be responsible for the financial support of the child whose eligibility for child care services is being determined. Additionally, all children in the household should be considered when determining the family household unit. If a child is between the ages of 18-21 and in school, the child is counted. If between the ages of 18-21 and not in school, the child is not counted. The following is information on who to include and exclude when determining the family household unit: Who IS counted when determining the family household unit: • Natural/adoptive parent, caretaker or grandparent, or an individual acting in loco parentis, such as a relative or non-relative who has been granted custody or guardianship by a court of law • Married spouse of the parent or caretaker, if residing in the same home; • Families in same sex marriages, if residing in the same home; • Second parent or alleged parent of the child needing care when they are residing in the home, even if unmarried to the parent/caretaker; • Dependent child in the household. A dependent child is defined as an unmarried child under age 18 or under age 21 if a student in secondary school or equivalent vocational/technical school; NOTE: The following only applies to Welfare Reform eligibility categories (TANF, TANF/CO, and TCC): A dependent child aged 0-13, or 13-19 if special needs, living in the household of a caretaker/relative, but not included in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) budget, is eligible to receive child care services. • Family members living temporarily away from home, i.e., military spouse, not residing in the same household due to being stationed away from home; • Stepparent/grandparent; • Teen parent who has their own TANF benefit case but resides in the household of their parent or caretaker. The teen parent and child make up their own family household unit. A teen parent must be participating in school and/or working as a part of his/her TANF Family Plan;