Policy Effective: April 1, 2004

Parents who have not been emancipated by age, marriage, or court order - who have a dependent child in their care, MUST reside in one of the following living arrangements to be eligible for assistance:

In the home of their parents or stepparents who are also receiving financial assistance. In such situations, these unemancipated parents are included in the same assistance unit with their parents or stepparents.

In the home of their parents or stepparents who are NOT receiving financial assistance. In such situations the parents or stepparents income will be deemed in determining if the unemancipated parent is eligible to receive assistance. See policy 401-2 for income deeming requirements.

In the home of a person who has been awarded legal guardianship of the unemancipated parent.

In a suitable adult-supervised living arrangement when a determination has been made that an unemancipated parent has good cause not to live with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian. Good Cause is defined as:

The unemancipated parent’s parents, stepparents or legal guardians’ whereabouts are unknown; or

No living parent, stepparent, or legal guardian, will allow the unemancipated parent to live in his or her home; or

The unemancipated parent has lived independently from his or her parents, stepparents, or legal guardians for a period of at least one year before either the birth of the dependent child or the parent’s application for financial assistance, and the unemancipated parent was self supporting during this same period of time.

The physical or emotional health or safety of the unemancipated parent or dependent child would be jeopardized if they resided in the same residence with his or her parents, stepparents, or legal guardian(s).

If the unemancipated parent makes allegations of abuse or neglect by his or her parents, stepparents or legal guardians, a referral of those allegations MUST be made to the Division of Child and Family Services.

A claim of good cause not to reside with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian must be verified through evidence and/or investigation. See policy 305-5A for suggested evidence concerning physical or emotional health or safety.