Grandparents and TAFDC

In general you do not need to have guardianship or legal custody to get TAFDC for your grandchild if the child’s parents do not live with you. You just need to show you are related to the child. You can be related by blood or marriage, even if the marriage has ended.

You can prove your relationship with

• birth certificates,
• school records,
• medical records, or
• other kinds of papers.

Yes. You can choose if you want to get benefits for your grandchild only, or for yourself as well.

If you choose to get benefits for your grandchild only:

• DTA will not count your income when they decide how much TAFDC your grandchild can get. Assets do not count for any TAFDC applicants or recipients. 
• Some TAFDC rules, like work rules and time limits, do not apply.  

Yes, if your income is low enough. If you choose to get benefits for yourself:

• DTA will count your income when they decide how much TAFDC you and your grandchild can get. 
• Depending on your age and health, you may also have to meet TAFDC work rules. The TAFDC time limits may also apply. 

Yes. You can get a voucher for free child care if you get TAFDC for a child and you are working. 

You can get SNAP for your grandchild, but only if you get them for yourself as well. DTA will count your income when they decide how much SNAP you and your grandchild will get.  They will also count the income of any other people who need to be part of your SNAP case.

If you and/or your grandchild are getting TAFDC benefits, you will also get MassHealth.