Benefit Cap (BC) Children
A dependent child born or adopted during the natural or adoptive mother or father's
Family Benefit Cap Period (FBCP) is not eligible for CA unless the child is an FBCP exempt child.
The Benefit Capped (BC) child is not eligible for CA until the month after the month of their 18th birthday.
A BC child can receive CA prior to their 18th birthday when they become a
minor parent(g).
Review the child's eligibility status in AZTECS for all applications dated November 01, 1995 and later to determine whether a child is a BC child, or whether exemptions from the FBCP apply.
Complete the following to identify whether a child is a BC child:
●Verify at each interview whether the child must be Benefit Capped or is exempt from FBCP policy by reviewing the following:
Benefit Cap Grid: Determining the BC Child (FAA‑1302A) form
FAA1583 Electronic benefit Cap Determination unity form Verification and documentation in the
case file(g)●Print and review the CLPR AZTECS screen for all FBCPs for both parents. This assists in identifying whether the mother, father, or both have had an FBCP assigned to them. Place the CLPR screen prints in the case file.
●Review
FBCP Exempt Child. When the dependent child meets the criteria in FBCP Exempt Children, the dependent child is eligible for CA. When the child does not meet the FBCP Exempt Children criteria, the child is a BC child.
Once the FBCP policy has been applied, the child remains BC regardless of who later applies for the child. Do not key the child IN on SEPA until one of the following occurs:
●The child is 18 and meets the requirements to receive CA on their own.
●The child becomes a minor parent.
●The child is adopted. Benefit Cap status must be redetermined using the adoptive parents FBCP and
FBCP exemptions.
Complete an inquiry on the mother or father when any of the following occur:
●The child has not been Benefit Capped.
●An FBCP determination is questionable.
When there is an FBCP on CLPR and CA involvement does not display on CLPR, complete the following to determine if the child should be a BC child:
●Research the case file.
●Research the AFBH screen for additional information.
●When prior information purged from AZTECS is required, see DARS. (link for internal use only)
●Document the case file with the date DARS is requested.
●Review the information provided by FAA Systems with a supervisor to determine whether the child should be a BC child.
●Document the case file with the child's name, date of birth or adoption, and whether the child was Benefit Capped or FBCP exempt. The history records, FAA-1302A or FAA-1583A and supporting verification must be placed in the case file.
NOTE This process may also be used when a potential error is discovered and must be researched.
Information retrieved from DARS may not display CA participation for the FBCP indicated on CLPR. When this occurs, the supervisor must request microfiche history by contacting the
FAA Systems Help Desk via email. Include the following information:
●Case name (including any alias from CLPR)
●Case number
●Benefit month that are in question
●Requestor’s name, phone number, and fax number
FAA Systems researches the history records on microfiche. The response from FAA Systems includes AFBH and CA participation information. Allow three
workdays(g).
When the mother's information is not in AZTECS, and no other information is available from FAA Systems, an FBCP does not exist. Key IN in the CA PT field on SEPA for the child. Document the
case file(g) to support the decision.
When a child is determined ineligible for CA benefits due to FBCP policy, key BC in the CA PT field on SEPA. Document the case file and place the completed FAA‑1302A or FAA-1583A in the case file to support the decision.
NOTE BC children are not eligible for
CA Supportive Services. BC children are potentially eligible for
Transitional Child Care (TCC).
When the only eligible dependent child is the BC child, determine the eligibility of the parent or specified relative who meets the CA eligibility criteria.
The resources and income of a BC child are not considered available to the CA budgetary unit.
The CA budgetary unit that includes a BC child is eligible to receive an
EMPOWER Deduction. The following apply to an EMPOWER deduction:
●Is equal to the benefit amount the child would have received had the child not been Benefit Capped.
●Is subtracted each month from the income of one or more CA participants.