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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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Multiple sets of children living in the same home

When the household consists of more than one group of children, the determination of which child(ren) will comprise one benefit group is based on legal responsibility. Child(ren) for whom the applicant has legal responsibility will make up one benefit group.

All other children in the home will make up the second benefit group. Multiple parents living in the same home – child(ren) in common.

Include all parents and the child(ren) in one BG. Two parents live in the home – no common child(ren) Unless married to each other, include each parent in a separate BG. Stepparent lives in the home. Include the stepparent in the BG. Minor parent is a dependent child in a BG with siblings. If an application is made for the minor parent’s child(ren), add him/her to the major parent’s BG. Minor parent, head-of-household Must live in the home of his/her parent, legal guardian, other adult relative or in an adult supervised supportive arrangement to be eligible to receive TANF unless certain circumstances exist. (See 3.6.3 Living Arrangement of Minor Parent)

Individual(s) who receives federal, state or local foster care payments.

Exclude the individual(s), his/her income, resources and foster care board payments in determining benefits for other BG members. (Treat the same as an SSI child). Individual(s) for whom subsidized adoption or guardianship payments are received lives with adoptive parent(s). Exclude the individual(s), his/her income, resources and subsidized adoption or guardianship payment.

Adoptive child(ren) returns to the home of the biological parent(s). The biological parents(s) is not eligible for benefits for the child because the parental rights have been terminated through the adoption process.

CAUTION: Once a child has been adopted, relationships to all blood relatives are severed along with the birth parents. Child(ren) lives in the home with the biological parent(s) and the adoptive parent(s). The biological parent(s) is a non-BG member. The adoptive parent(s) is the mandatory BG member and the biological parent cannot be included. EXCEPTION: If the biological parent is also a dependent child of the adoptive parent, he/she must be included as a dependent child. Child(ren) lives in a joint custody situation. If short, alternating periods of custody (i.e., every other day, week, month), child(ren) must reside with the A/R 51% of the time. If extended, alternating periods of custody (i.e., three months or more), child(ren) must reside with the A/R when the case is approved.