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302.1 - 302.4 TANF MANUAL 10/18 Page 1

302.1 DEFINITION OF THE TANF ASSISTANCE UNIT - The TANF assistance unit is composed of the individual or individuals who meet all categorical requirements and conditions of eligibility. The assistance payment will include the needs of all such individuals.

302.2 DEFINITION OF THE - ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION GROUP (EDG) – For purposes of the VaCMS, the group of individuals whose income must be considered in determining the assistance unit's eligibility and payment amount is referred to as the eligibility determination group. This includes children and parents required to be in the assistance unit; essential persons; individuals whose income is subject to deeming; and, when assistance is requested, a caretaker-relative other than the parent. In the VaCMS, on the TANF – EDG Summary screen, the participation status for individuals included in the EDG will be Eligible, Countable or Deemed.

302.3 DEFINITION OF CARETAKER - In TANF, the caretaker is the natural or adoptive parent or other relative who is responsible for supervision and care of the needy child(ren).

There will be one caretaker included in an assistance unit, except when:

1. the natural or adoptive parent who is incapacitated has remarried, the spouse may be included; or

2. the household consists of a married couple who each have a child(ren) of their own; or

3. guidance at Section 302.8 A. regarding minor parents requires more than one caretaker; or

4. both natural or adoptive parents of at least one child are living in the home and the family is in financial need. Note: In households that include both natural parents and at least one child in common residing in the home, paternity must be established before the putative father can be included as a caretaker on the TANF payment (See Section 201.10 A.).

302.4 DEFINITION OF PAYEE - In TANF, the payee is the parent or other relative who is responsible for supervision and care of the needy child(ren) but who is not included in the assistance unit. A relative would be a payee unless he/she meets the criteria in 302.7.E.

In situations where the parent of the eligible child(ren) is in the home and included in the assistance unit, another relative may be designated as the payee for the case if the local agency has determined that the relative, not the parent, is exercising primary responsibility for the care and control of the child(ren). (Refer to Section 502.4.A.1.c. concerning designation of payees.) In such situations, the relative may be included in the assistance unit only if he/she meets the requirements of an essential person (EWB) listed in Section 302.6.

TANF Transmittal 65