Relationship

Relationship A. The responsible adult may be a relative or a non-relative for children eligible in a Modified Adjusted Gross Income-related FPL program, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). B. To meet the requirement of relationship as a parent or caretaker relative, a child must live in the home with a biological, adopted or step-parent or one of the following relatives within the specified degree of relationship: 1. Grandfather or grandmother (extends to great, great-great and great-great-great), a) A grandparent-in-law is within the required degree. b) The relationship of grandparent-in-law occurs when one of the child’s grandparents remarries. 2. Brother or sister (including half-brother and half-sister), 3. Uncle or aunt (extends to great and great-great), 4. First cousin, including first cousin once removed (child of a first cousin), 5. Nephew or niece (extends to great and great-great), 6. Step-father or step-mother, or 7. Step-brother or step-sister. C. Relationship extends to the legal spouse of the above-listed relatives even after the marriage is terminated by death or divorce. D. The relationship requirement is met when the child lives with any of the above-named relatives. E. Legal custody is not a factor in determining relationship. F. Legal adoption terminates all prior relationships except that the biological parent remains a qualified relative to the child for eligibility. 1. A natural or biological parent whose child has returned to the parent’s home after being legally adopted by another individual is within the degree of relationship. 2. In such instances the natural parent is not legally responsible for the child and the adoptive parents must be reported as absent parents to the Division of Child Support. G. Relationship as a caretaker relative must be verified.