There must be one specified relative for each budget group, with the following exceptions.
When both parents of a TANF child, including adoptive parents, are included in the budget group, both parents are designated as specified relatives.
If the child lives with more than one relative who could be designated the specified relative, and the relatives claim equal responsibility for the child’s care and control, the CAO may designate two persons as specified relatives.
Example 1: Mary, age 3, lives with both parents. Her mother is incapacitated by a chronic illness. Both parents are designated as specified relatives.
Example 2: Dave, age 2, lives with his mother and stepfather. As Dave does not live with both parents, the mother is designated as a specified relative. If she is unable to take care of him and be in charge of him, the stepfather may be designated a specified relative. The mother would be included in the budget group as a parent.
Example 3: Johnny, age 5, lives with John and Mary Fulton, his maternal grandparents. They apply for Cash Assistance. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton say they are each responsible for Johnny’s care and control. The CAO determines that both the grandfather and grandmother are specified relatives.
NOTE: Mr. and Mrs. Fulton meet the relationship criteria. They may be included in the TANF grant as eligible specified (ES) relatives if they also meet income, resource, and other TANF eligibility criteria.
Reviewed July 30, 2013