Policy Effective: December 1, 2011

A child is a person age 18 and under and not emancipated. See #6 below for more information regarding emancipation. In order to receive Child Care the child and adult must be related by blood (natural child), marriage (stepchild) or adoption (adopted child) or living with a specified relative or legal guardian.

All children related to the parent/specified relative who are visiting or living in the home are included in the household composition, but not all are eligible for Child Care based on age or visiting arrangements. See policy 210 for information on age requirements for children eligible for Child Care.

The child must be living in the same home as the person seeking assistance to receive a subsidy payment; this includes joint custody situations. See policy 240-1D

An emancipated child is not considered part of the parents’ household.

An emancipated child who is a parent can apply and receive Child Care services. Only her/his income is counted towards eligibility.

Emancipation is defined as:

Age 18 and over unless the 18-year-old is a full-time student in a secondary school or an equivalent level of vocational or technical training and the school has verified a reasonable expectation the 18-year-old will complete the educational program before turning 19. (Legally emancipated)

Legally married. (Legally emancipated)

Ordered by a Court. (Legally emancipated)

The parent no longer provides care and support (Factually emancipated). In order to be considered factually emancipated, verifications must be provided to establish the parent lived independently from his/her parents or guardian AND must have been economically self-supporting for the past 12 months. If the minor is living in his/her parent's home, the parents are providing support and the minor is not considered factually emancipated. See policy 240-1C for more information.

See policy 240-1F on information about Child Care for teen parents.