27. Which families can get EAEDC?
Children and their caretakers who live together can qualify for EAEDC when they are ineligible for TAFDC because they are not related or only distantly related.
The child must be under the age of 18. The caretaker has to be 18 years or older. The caretaker in these situations may be godparents, close friends or neighbors of the family who are providing a home for the child. The caretaker must have custody or legal guardianship of the child unless good cause exists. 106 C.M.R. § 703.700.
Both the unrelated caretaker and the child may qualify for EAEDC. If you are caring for an unrelated minor child, you have the option to get EAEDC benefits just for the child. If you get benefits just for the child, you do not need to be included in the EAEDC grant and your income and assets will not be counted. 106 C.M.R. § 703.700(4).
However, all of the siblings and half-siblings of the minor child must be included. You also have the option to be included in the grant, but in that case your income and assets will be considered and you may have to register for work with the Department of Career Services. See Question 43 regarding the EAEDC assistance unit rules. See Question 31 regarding the EAEDC work requirement. The child is eligible for a full one-person EAEDC grant as long as the child has living expenses, even though you manage the benefits for the child. See Question 61 regarding living arrangement and Question 53 regarding "in-kind income."
Example: Frannie Welch has been caring for her neighbor's child for the past year. The child lives with Frannie and she has legal custody. Frannie has two children of her own and she works part time earning $800/month. Frannie can get EAEDC for the neighbor's child and is not required to be included in the assistance unit or have her income counted toward that child. Even though she has legal custody, she is not financially liable for the child.
Advocacy Reminders:
- If you are the caretaker and do not have legal custody or guardianship of the dependent child(ren), you have six months to get legal custody or guardianship or to provide verification of good cause. 106 C.M.R. § 703.700(A)(3)(d).
- TAFDC benefits are higher than EAEDC benefits so check to see if you meet the TAFDC relationship requirement. For TAFDC, a minor child must be living with a natural or adoptive parent, an aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, sibling, stepparent, step-grandparent or step-sibling or a spouse or former spouse of a listed blood or adoptive relative. 106 C.M.R. § 703.310.
- Unrelated caretakers, as well as related non-parent caretakers, may also be eligible to receive foster care benefits for the children in their care through the Department of Social Services (DSS). Involving DSS may have disadvantages as well as advantages. See 110 C.M.R. §§ 7.100-7.130.
DTA Policy Guidance:
DTA Online Guide: EAEDC > Categorical Requirements > Caretaker Family > Caretaker Family Overview