Policy Effective: April 1, 2004

If the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) determines through evidence and/or investigation that an unemancipated parent has good cause NOT to live with a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian, DWS will help the unemancipated parent locate a suitable adult-supervised living arrangement.

A suitable adult-supervised living arrangement for an unemancipated parent whose claim of good cause has been approved includes:

Living in the home of a “specified” relative. (see policy 205-3 for list of approved specified relatives)

Living in the home of an adult relative who does not meet the “specified” relative criteria.

Living in an adult-supervised residence such as a foster home or a teen-parent home.

Living in the home of a non-related adult that DWS has determined is maintained as a family setting as evidenced by the assumption of responsibility for care and control of the unemancipated minor parent and dependent child.

Living in an adult-supervised independent living residence, that DWS has determined offers the unemancipated parent the provision of supporting services, such as counseling, guidance, and direction.

The parents of the unemancipated parent must be contacted to determine whether they are supporting the unemancipated parent.

If the parents are providing an amount of support equal to or greater than what the financial assistance payment would be, the household is not eligible.

When an unemancipated parent under age 18 has been determined by DWS to have good cause not to live with his or her parents, the unemancipated parent must complete duty of support procedures against ALL his or her parents and the dependent child's non-custodial parent, unless good cause for not cooperating with duty of support criteria are met. See policy 305 for Duty of Support policy.