FAA2.D Setup Participations (SEPA) : 05 Case Participation - Overview : A CA Case Participation : .02 Optional CA Participants
Optional CA Participants
 
(10/01/10 – 12/31/10)
All people within the caretaker relative(g)'s family(g) of the child for whom benefits are being requested, must be considered when determining eligibility.
 
NOTE All people within the caretaker relative's family of the child for whom benefits are being requested must be registered to the CA case, regardless of participation. This is so AZTECS is able to conduct the CA needy family test.
 
A nonparent caretaker relative (NPCR) may choose to be in the CA case when it is to the participant's advantage or at their request.
 
NOTE NA Categorical Eligibility must be reviewed for NPCR CA child only cases.
 
More than one NPCR may be living with dependent children who are siblings. When this is the case, only one NPCR may be keyed IN in the PT field on SEPA. (See Example Optional CA Participants1)
 
More than one NPCR may be living with dependent children who are not related. In this situation, it is to the participants' advantage to create separate AZTECS cases. (See Example Optional CA Participants 2)
 
(See Income and Budgeting, and CA Special Considerations for budgeting procedures)
 
When a parent and an NPCR are living in the home, only the parent may participate in the CA case. Key the parent IN and the NPCR as OU in the PT field on SEPA.
 
EXCEPTION
Both the parent and the nonparent may choose to participate in the CA case only when the following are applying for CA benefits:
●A parent who is determined to be a dependent child.
●A parent and nonparent with another child in common who is deprived because of unemployment or underemployment. (See TPEP)
●A parent (18 and over) who is prevented from functioning as the caretaker relative because of a verified physical or mental condition. (See Deprivation)
Key both participants IN in the PT field on SEPA.
 
When the dependent child's parent(g) is out of the home, a stepparent may apply for CA for the child. When this occurs, the stepparent may be an optional participant. When the stepparent chooses NOT to be included in the CA budgetary unit, key OU in the PT field on SEPA.
 
When the inclusion of an optional CA participant results in a denial, closure, or benefit decrease for the CA budgetary unit, complete the following:
 
●Determine the eligibility with the optional CA participant removed from the CA budgetary unit.
●Inform the PI of the results and allow the PI to decide whether to include the optional CA participant in the CA budgetary unit.
●Document the case file(g).
 
EXCEPTION
The needy family consists of the dependent child and all people within the caretaker relative's family of the child for whom benefits are being requested whether or not they are requesting benefits for themselves. Participants cannot choose to be excluded from the CA needy family test when the determination results in a denial.