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TANF Transmittal 76

901.11 TANF MANUAL 12/22 Page 10

TANF until the entire 24-month period of ineligibility has expired.

Example 2: Ms. Smith, who is a TANF recipient with her sons Josh and Joe, began participating in the VIEW Program in March 2018. Josh moved out of Ms. Smith's home in June 2018 to move in with his aunt. The aunt applied for TANF, on Josh's behalf, in June 2018. The aunt's TANF application for Josh may be approved if Josh is otherwise eligible because Ms. Smith's TANF case was not in a period of ineligibility when Josh left.

B. EXCEPTIONS: (1) If the caretaker dies during the period of ineligibility, the children may receive TANF with another relative, if otherwise eligible. (2) A minor parent or child who turns 18 during the period of ineligibility may apply and receive TANF in her own right for herself and her child(ren), if otherwise eligible. (3) If it is determined that the caretaker (both caretakers in a two- parent TANF household) became totally disabled during the period of ineligibility or became required to care for a disabled family member living in the household, and such a disability or situation prevents the individual from being self-supporting, the caretaker and children in the family may receive TANF payments without regard to the period of ineligibility. The worker must assist the parent in pursuing other benefits, as appropriate. (4) If a child is removed from the home of a parent as a result of a child protective services report or complaint during the period of ineligibility and is placed in the home of a relative, the relative may be eligible to receive assistance if otherwise eligible.

A Medical Evaluation (032-03-1040) completed by a medical professional will be used to verify the disability of the caretaker. (The client’s disability will be considered total if the medical indicates that she cannot work 20 hours a week or more). The disability must be re-evaluated based on new verification at the end of the anticipated duration as originally noted on the medical form. If the duration indicated on the form is for more than 12 months or is identified as permanent, a new form must be obtained every 12 months. If the medical form is incomplete, the eligibility worker must contact the medical professional to obtain the missing information before acting on the medical. The medical exam for which a medical evaluation is based, must have been conducted no more than 90 days prior to the date the medical professional signs the form.

When the caretaker is needed on a substantially continuous basis to care for a family member who is living in the household (the family member does not have to be included on the TANF payment), the family member must have a verified physical or mental disability and must have caretaking needs that prevent the caregiver from being self-supporting. These caretaking needs include the need for attendance, supervision, and home care, and other needs related to the family member’s disability. A medical professional must complete a Statement of Required Presence of Caregiver form (032-03- 0020) to verify the family member’s condition, and the need for the caregiver to be available on a substantially continuous basis. If the disabled family member is out of the home for substantial portions of the day, the caretaker will not be considered to be needed on a substantially continuous basis, and the TANF payments will not be extended beyond the 24th month. For the caretaker acting as a caregiver for a disabled member living in the household, a task and reminder to obtain a new medical form must be set 30 days prior to the end of the anticipated duration as noted on the medical form or every 90 days, whichever occurs first.

When the disabled caretaker is eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), on-going verification of the disability will not be required. When the disabled family member who requires a caregiver is eligible to receive SSI or SSDI, additional verification of the need for a caregiver for the disabled family member will