R986-200-213. Financial Assistance for a Minor Parent

(1) Financial assistance may be provided to a single minor parent who resides in a place of residence maintained by a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative of the single minor parent, unless the minor parent is exempt.

(2) The single minor parent may be exempt when:

(a) The minor parent has no living parent or legal guardian whose whereabouts is known;

(b) No living parent or legal guardian of the minor parent allows the minor parent to live in his or her home;

(c) The minor parent lived apart from his or her own parent or legal guardian for a period of at least one year before either the birth of the dependent child or the parent's having made application for FEP and the minor parent was self supporting during this same period of time; or

(d) The physical or emotional health or safety of the minor parent or dependent child would be jeopardized if they resided in the same residence with the minor parent's parent or legal guardian. A referral will be made to DCFS if allegations are made under this paragraph.

(3) Prior to authorizing financial assistance, the Department must approve the living arrangement of all single minor parents exempt under section (2) above. Approval of the living arrangement is not a certification or guarantee of the safety, quality, or condition of the living arrangements of the single minor parent.

(4) All minor parents regardless of the living arrangement must participate in education for parenting and life skills in infant and child wellness programs operated by the Department of Health and, for not less than 20 hours per week:

(a) attend high school or an alternative to high school, if the minor parent does not have a high school diploma;

(b) participate in education and training; and/or

(c) participate in employment.

(5) If a single minor parent resides with a parent, the Department shall include the income of the parent of the single minor parent in determining the single minor parent's eligibility for financial assistance.

(6) If a single minor parent resides with a parent who is receiving financial assistance, the single minor parent is included in the parent's household assistance unit.

(7) If a single minor parent receives financial assistance but does not reside with a parent, the Department shall seek an order requiring that the parent of the single minor parent financially support the single minor parent.