1305 Age

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Age

Effective Date:

October 2024

Chapter:

1300

Policy Number:

1305

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 50

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-78

Requirements

A dependent child must be under age 18, or under age 19 if a full-time student, to be included in the AU.

Basic Considerations

A dependent child must be under 18 years of age to be eligible for cash assistance unless the child is a full-time student. An 18-year-old dependent child who is a full-time student and has satisfactory school attendance meets the age requirement.

A dependent child is eligible based on age through the month prior to the child’s 18th birthday. If the child is a full-time student, the child is eligible through the month prior to the child’s 19th birthday.

The following policies apply to a dependent child who is 18 years old:

  • An 18-year-old child must meet the same school attendance requirements as other dependent children. Failure to do so causes the 18-year-old to be ineligible for cash assistance. The AU is not subject to a sanction. Refer to Section 1347 School Attendance.

  • An 18-year-old child who meets the school attendance requirement may be included in or excluded from the AU at the option of the grantee relative.

  • The standard filing unit policy applies to an 18-year-old who is included in the AU.

  • An 18-year-old parent may either be included as a child in the AU of his/her parent or other grantee relative or may receive cash assistance as a caretaker in his/her own case.

Verification

Age

The AU’s statement of the child’s age may be accepted, unless questionable. If the AU’s statement is questionable, age is verified at the following times:

  • at application

  • when a child is added to the AU

  • when the agency becomes aware of a discrepancy.

If the AU’s statement is questionable, the following sources of verification are acceptable:

  • adoption record

  • affidavit of persons present at the birth

  • baptismal or other church record

  • birth certificate

  • census record

  • court record

  • driver’s license

  • family Bible

  • insurance record

  • marriage record

  • medical record

  • school record

  • social security record

  • U.S. passport

  • vital statistic record

  • any other records showing age or date of birth.

School Attendance of an 18-year-old

School attendance of an 18-year-old dependent child must be verified at the following times:

  • at application,

  • when an 18-year-old is added to the AU,

  • at the annual review,

  • at the review of the Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) and/or the Personal Work Plan (PWP),

  • in the month prior to the child turning 18,

  • when the agency becomes aware of a discrepancy, and

  • if the 18-year-old changes schools.

The anticipated date of graduation or anticipated completion of the course of study must be verified no later than the month prior to when the child turns 18.

School attendance, graduation date, or completion of a course of study is verified by one of the following:

  • attendance record

  • computer printout

  • contact with school personnel

  • report card

  • a completed Form 517, Record of School Attendance and Performance Report

  • a county-developed verification form

  • other methods established by the agency and the school system.

Procedures

Accept and document the AU’s statement of the age of a dependent child. If questionable, verify the child’s age. Document the date and source of verification.

Discuss at the following times the option of including an 18-year-old child in the AU:

  • at application, if the family includes an 18-year-old

  • in the month prior to the month in which a child in the AU will turn 18.

Document that the option was discussed, and the choice made by the AU.

In the month prior to the month the 18-year-old child is expected to graduate or complete the course of study, determine if the child will continue his/her education and if s/he will continue to meet the school attendance requirement.

If so, continue to include the 18-year-old child in the AU. Document date and source of verification.

If not, remove the 18-year-old child from the AU effective the month following the month the child is no longer a full-time student.