PM 04-01-02
Following are examples of different family situations and how Filing Unit policy applies to those situations:
Parent Living With a Child
An eligible parent living with a dependent child receiving TANF must be included in the same case.
Example 1: A child receives TANF Cash with her grandmother. The child's 21 year old mother moves into the home.
The child's mother must be included in the TANF case with the child. If the mother is now the caretaker, remove the grandmother. If the grandmother is still the caretaker because the mother is unable or refuses to be responsible for the child's welfare, the grandmother remains the caretaker and payee.
Example 2: A child who lives with his aunt who is his legal guardian receives TANF Cash. The aunt is RPY for the case. The child's mother who receives TANF Cash with another child moves into the home.
Include the child's mother and sibling in the RPY case and cancel the mother's case. The aunt remains payee for the entire case (mother and children) as the mother is unable to care for the children. None of the aunt's income is budgeted against the TANF case.
Example 3: A woman and her 3 children receive TANF Cash. Also living in the home is the customer's spouse who works and is not included in the case. Spousal liability is budgeted against the TANF case. In 07/12 the customer and her husband have a new baby.
The new baby and the father (customer's husband) must be included in the case, which becomes an 06 case if neither parent is medically unable to work. Budget the father's earned income in the usual way, not as spousal liability.
Example 4: Ms. P and her 2 children receive TANF Cash. Also living in the home is Mr. Q, the alleged father of the 2nd child. Mr. Q is not included in the case, and is employed earning $2,000 per month. None of his income is budgeted against the TANF case. In 07/97 paternity is established, making Mr. Q the 2nd child's legal father.
Mr. Q must be included in the case with his child, which becomes an 06 case if neither parent is medically unable to work. Mr. Q's earned income is budgeted, making the entire family (Ms. P, Mr. Q, and both children) ineligible for TANF Cash.
Example 5: A woman in a civil union applies for herself and her child. Since the civil union partner is listed on the child's birth certificate as a co-parent, the civil union partner must also be included in the TANF case.
Child Living With Siblings
An eligible child living with siblings receiving TANF Cash must be included in the same case.
Example 1: A woman and one child receive TANF Cash. The customer has a baby. The baby's alleged father contributes $250 per month for his child's needs.
Add the newborn to the case. Budget the father's $250 contribution when determining eligibility for the case.
Example 2: Ms. X and her son receive TANF. The son's father, who is not in the home, had a daughter with Ms. Y and leaves her in the care of Ms. X. The half-sister is not eligible for TANF because there is no relationship between her and Ms. X.
Minor Mother Living With Child or Siblings
A minor mother living with her child and/or minor siblings receiving TANF Cash must be included in the same case.
Example 1: A woman applies for TANF Cash for her grandson. Also living in the home is the child's 16 year old mother. The child's 16 year old mother must be included in the application for the child. Therefore, the grandmother can either apply for herself, her daughter, and the grandson (using her income ) or the 16 year old can apply as a minor payee for herself and her child (the 16 year old's mother's parental liability must be determined and budgeted).
Example 2: An unmarried, pregnant 16 year old is receiving TANF pregnant woman cash benefits and lives with her 30 year old sister. She moves back in with her mother and 2 brothers who are receiving TANF Cash.
The 16 year old must be included in the case with her brothers as she is eligible as a dependent child. Her pregnant woman case is canceled.
NOTE: If the 16 year old's brothers had not been receiving TANF Cash or if she were married, she could continue to receive TANF Cash in a pregnant woman only case. Her mother's parental liability must be determined and budgeted against the case.
Example 3: An unmarried, pregnant 16 year old lives with her aunt and is receiving TANF pregnant woman cash benefits. She moves in with her 2 sisters ages 9 and 12 who are receiving TANF Cash with their grandmother.
The 16 year old must be included in the TANF RPY case with her sisters as she is eligible as a dependent child. Her pregnant woman case is canceled.
Example 4: An unmarried 17 year old mother and her child live alone and receive TANF Cash. The 17 year old and her child move back in with her mother who receives SSI and SSA, and her brother who receives TANF Cash with their mother as RPY.
The 17 year old and her child must be included in the TANF RPY case with her brother because she is eligible as a dependent child. The 17 year old's TANF case is canceled. The children's mother is not included because she receives SSI.
Example 5: An unmarried 16 year old and her baby are included in her mother's cash case with her siblings. The adjudicated father of the baby moves into the home. Delete the 16 year old and the baby and set up a separate cash case which includes the adjudicated father, the 16 year old and the baby, if they are financially eligible.
If there is income that make the case ineligible for cash, set up a MANG case for the father and baby. The 16 year old must remain in her mother's cash case (without the baby) only if the separate case is ineligible for cash.
