Household composition, living arrangement, temporary absence (TAFDC)

An Advocate's Guide to the Massachusetts Welfare Rules for Families By Deborah Harris and Betsy Gwin, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, January 2024 Edition As described by MCLE: Using a simple question-and-answer format, this handbook guides advocates through the maze of TAFDC rules and…

From the Hotline If you have any questions on this column or other policy and procedural material, please have your Hotline designee call the Policy Hotline at 617-348-8478. Q. 1. A woman and her same-sex spouse applied for SNAP benefits. The woman recently requested that we add her newborn to…

 It is important to follow up on any DSS Match that alerts the Department to the placement of a dependent child. Case managers must check with the client to be sure that any other child continuing to receive assistance is still living in the home. While not eligible for SNAP, children absent…

If the only dependent child is ineligible for TAFDC, the parent is still eligible as an assitance unit of one if otherwise eligible for benefits. In a two parent family, both parents are eligible as an assistance unit of two if otherwise eligible.

Cousins and relationship requirement for TAFDC; Supported Work wages as countable income.

Learnfare; teen parent AU composition for TAFDC and FS.

EA: Intervening housing since eviction from subsidized apartment for nonpayment; TAFDC: step-grandparents not eligible based on relationship requirement.

Teen parents with a Certificate of Completion of coursework from high school are considered to have a diploma for TAFDC teen parent eligibility purposes even if they did not pass the MCAS and get a degree. Teen parents in this situation who are taking the MCAS retain teen parent exemptions until…

TAFDC: grandmother does not need guardianship to establish relationship even if not on the grant; TAFDC and FS: severance pay is nonrecurring lump sum payment; TAFDC: recipients in domestic violence shelters are eligible for relocation benefits.

TAFDC: temporary absence of child placed in foster care; EA: lump sum received prior to application; FS: eligibility of individual wearing prison bracelet.

Replacement EBT cards at reapplication; TAFDC: household composition including 2 parents, one common child, one child from previous relationship, and earnings; TAFDC: income of step-parent where natural parents are not in the home is not counted if she opts out of assitance unit.

EAEDC: application is also application for Medicaid; AFDC: explanation of first cousin once removed; AFDC and EAEDC: treatment of tax refunds and EIC; AFDC: If applicant received final paycheck before application and is not working, do not count past paychecks even if received within last 4 weeks;…