This memorandum provides clarification of procedure for determining NPCR
assistance groups. Following the policy on mandatory assistance group members
in section
0210.005.05
, children must have the following family relationship to each other to be
mandatory.
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Biological and adoptive brothers and sisters of the dependent child who are
themselves dependent children. This includes half-brothers and half-sisters
but does not include step-brothers and step-sisters.
Under previous policy when non-sibling children were in the home the caretaker
was allowed to make a choice of having all children on one case or separated.
The choice was to be made based on what was most beneficial to all persons
applying. Effective July 01, 2004 non-mandatory children must be excluded from
the assistance group. The reason for this is that it is always more beneficial
to have separate cases for non-sibling children. FAMIS is being programmed
according this policy. Any relationship that does not meet this rule among the
children will error out during conversion as an incorrect relationship.
Beginning immediately new NPCR/URG assistance groups must consist only of
siblings and half siblings. Any other child to child relationship is invalid.
All current applications taken on or after June 01, 2004, will need to be
investigated for relationship of child to child. If a household has other
children that do not meet the sibling or half-sibling relationship a separate
C1-C6 case must be registered.
EXAMPLE:
Mrs. Maple comes into the office to apply for Temporary Assistance. The
following children are in her household and she is applying for benefits for
everyone including herself. There is no one else in her household.
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Her son Andrew
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Her daughter Nancy
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Her sister's daughter Meredith
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Her sister's son Willard
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Her brother's son Scott
This household has three separate assistance groups as follows:
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Mrs. Maple and her children Andrew and Nancy as they meet the
sibling/half-sibling rule.
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Mrs. Maple as a non-needy NPCR and her sister's children Meredith and Willard
as they meet the sibling/half-sibling rule to each other but are not
sibling/half-siblings to Andrew and Nancy.
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Mrs. Maple as a non-needy NPCR and her brother's child Scott as he is not a
sibling/half-sibling to Andrew, Nancy, Meredith or Willard.
Conversion of Active Cases
Currently in Legacy it is not possible to tell relationships so staff must
examine their caseloads for cases that include non-sibling children. Refer to
IM Memorandum #53
dated May 28, 2004, for CONVERSION INTO FAMIS RELATIONSHIP ISSUES.
In existing cases where the children do not meet the mandatory relationship
staff must:
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Remove the children who do not meet the sibling/half-sibling relationship from
the case. Do not send an Adverse Action Notice (IM-80) as this change will
increase the total benefits.
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Register an application in the caretaker's name for the children removed from
the case. Do not have the NPCR sign a new application.
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Approve the children for the month following the month of removal from the
original case.
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Notify the head of household on the Notice of Case Action (IM-33) of the
change. Using the following wording under Cash grant has been changed because:
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We have determined you are eligible to have your case split into separate
assistance groups. You will receive $ XXX for this assistance group,
$ XXX for this assistance group and $ XXX for this assistance group.
EXAMPLE:
Using the previous example of Mrs. Maple there is no one in the household with
income. Mrs. Maple receives a grant of $431 for all 6 persons. After
splitting the case into mandatory assistance groups you will need to:
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Remove Meredith, Willard and Scott from the existing C1 case
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Register and approve two applications
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C2 with Mrs. Maple as a non-needy NPCR and Meredith and Willard as active cash,
and
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C3 with Mrs. Maple as a non-needy NPCR and Scott as active cash.
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Send Mrs. Maple an IM-33 which will state: We have determined you are eligible
to have your case split into separate assistance groups. You will receive $292
for yourself, Andrew and Nancy, $234 for Meredith and Willard, and $136 for
Scott.
Any case that has not been adjusted to meet this policy by July 01, 2004 will
have the increased benefits beginning with July 2004 issued as a deficiency
payment.
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