Section 112.8  Caretaker Relative

 

a)         The caretaker relative is the specified relative with whom the child is living.  When a child lives with a parent, that parent shall be designated as the caretaker relative except as follows:

 

1)         another relative in the home shall be the caretaker relative if DCFS has placed the child with the relative; or

 

2)         the relative has assumed responsibility for the child due to the parent's inability to adequately care for the child.

 

b)         Specified relatives are the following blood and adoptive relatives:

 

1)         First Degree of Relationship:

 

A)        father; or

 

B)        mother.

 

2)         Second Degree of Relationship:

 

A)        brother;

 

B)        sister;

 

C)        grandfather; or

 

D)        grandmother.

 

3)         Third Degree of Relationship:

 

A)        great-grandfather;

 

B)        great-grandmother;

 

C)        uncle;

 

D)        aunt;

 

E)        nephew; or

 

F)         niece.

 

4)         Fourth Degree of Relationship:

 

A)        great-great-grandfather;

 

B)        great-great-grandmother;

 

C)        great-uncle;

 

D)        great-aunt;

 

E)        first cousin;

 

F)         great-niece; or

 

G)        great-nephew.

 

5)         Fifth Degree of Relationship:

 

A)        great-great-great-grandfather;

 

B)        great-great-great-grandmother;

 

C)        great-great-uncle;

 

D)        great-great-aunt;

 

E)        first cousin once removed;

 

F)         second cousin;

 

G)        great-great niece; or

 

H)        great-great nephew.

 

6)         Step-Relatives:

 

A)        step-father;

 

B)        step-mother;

 

C)        step-brother; or

 

D)        step-sister.

 

7)         Person who is or has been married to one of the relatives listed in subsections (b)(1) through (6) above.

 

c)         Every TANF case shall have one person designated as the caretaker relative.  The caretaker relative does not have to meet a minimum or a maximum age requirement.  If the caretaker relative is included in the assistance unit, this person shall be considered an adult.

 

d)         One person may be the caretaker relative for two separate TANF financial assistance units only as follows:

 

1)         The person, his or her child or children, siblings and the child or children's other parent shall receive TANF in one assistance unit; and

 

2)         A separate assistance unit shall be established when the person is also caretaker relative for other related children (for whom the person is not a parent).  The second assistance unit must also contain an eligible parent or parents and siblings of the child or children in the unit.

 

e)         When a specified relative is no longer available to act as a caretaker relative, for children already receiving cash benefits, another person may serve as a Temporary Caretaker for a period not to exceed 90 days. "Living with" requirements of the child or children are the same as with a caretaker relative.  The Temporary Caretaker will not be included in the assistance unit.

 

(Source:  Amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 15597, effective November 26, 1997)