WAG 04-01-02
A TANF Filing Unit must include all eligible parents and siblings who live with a dependent child for whom TANF benefits are requested or received. The client cannot choose to exclude someone who must be included in the cash case.
To qualify as a dependent child, see PM 03-04-02.
A parent is listed as a mother, father or co-parent on a child's birth certificate.
Do not add a half-sibling to the filing unit unless the child is eligible due to living with caretaker relative as defined at PM 03-05-01.
Minor Parents
A minor parent has their own filing unit and receives the adult payment level unless they are included as a dependent child in another filing unit. There is no lower age limit to qualify for the adult payment level (PM 03-04-02).
When cash is requested or received for a minor parent's child and the minor parent's child has both parents in the home, there is a separate filing unit for the 2 parents and their child.
The minor parent must be included as a dependent child in another filing unit when meeting all of the following conditions:
- qualifies as a dependent child (PM 03-04-02); and
- is living with a sibing or caretaker who requests and is eligible for TANF; and
- is not married or in a civil union; and
- is not living with with the other parent of their child.
Note:When a minor parent does not meet above criteria to be included as a dependent child, they have their own filing unit. Their siblings or parents are not required to apply for TANF. Determine parent liability when the minor parent's parent has income and is not a TANF requestor (PM 10-04-04).
