17. Can you get your own grant if you are living with a parent?
There are different rules for parents and those pregnant under 18and parents and those pregnant while 18 or 19.
If you are a parent under 18 or pregnant under 18 who lives with a parent and your parent is receiving TAFDC, you must be included in your parent’s grant.
If you are a parent under 18 or pregnant under 18 who lives with a parent and your parent is not receiving TAFDC, you can get your own grant but your parent’s income above 200% of the federal poverty level may be counted in figuring eligibility for you and your child. See Question 68.
If you are a parent under 20 or pregnant under 20 living with an adult relative (aunt, uncle, grandparent) who is not your parent and is not receiving TAFDC, the relative’s income and assets do not count.
Once you turn age 18, you do not have to be included in your parent’s grant and your parent’s income does not count.
Note
Even if you get your own TAFDC grant, you may not be able to get separate SNAP (food stamp) benefits if you are under age 22 and you live with one or both of your parents. A parent you live with has to be part of your SNAP household and the parent’s income is counted in figuring your eligibility for SNAP. 106 C.M.R. § 361.200(A).
Advocacy Reminder
- If you are a parent under 18 receiving TAFDC with other family members, you can choose not to receive TAFDC for your baby. 106 C.M.R. § 704.320(B). You may want to do this if you are getting child support for the baby. DTA Transitions, Aug. 2004, p. 3. See Question 32.