LAC 67:III.5327. Living in the Home of a Qualified Caretaker Relative

A. A child must reside in the home of a qualified caretaker relative who is responsible for the day-to-day care of the child and who has legal custody or guardianship of the child. The child's parents may not reside in the home. Legal custody or guardianship must be obtained by the caretaker relative within one year of certification of benefits. Failure to obtain such custody within 12 months of certification will result in cessation of benefits. Benefits will not be denied when the qualified caretaker relative or the child is temporarily out of the home for a period not to exceed 180 days. Good cause must be established for a temporary absence of more than 45 days. The following relatives are qualified caretaker relatives: 1. grandfather or grandmother (extends to great-great-great); 2. step-grandfather or step-grandmother (extends to great-great-great); 3. brother or sister (including half-brother and half-sister); 4. uncle or aunt (extends to great-great); 5. first cousins (including first cousins once removed); 6. nephew or niece (extends to great-great); 7. stepbrother or stepsister. These may be either biological or adoptive relatives.