42 CFR 435.4 defines a parent or caretaker relative as a relative of a dependent child by blood, adoption, or marriage with whom the child is living, who assumes primary responsibility for the child’s care, and who is one of the following:
- The child’s father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother (including half), sister (including half), stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, or niece.
- The spouse of such parent or relative, even after the marriage is terminated by death or divorce.
Only a parent or caretaker relative as defined above may receive MHF benefits.
The custodial parent/caretaker relative may claim the child as a dependent on income taxes, but is not required to.