TAFDC and taking care of a disabled family member

DTA has a special form that you bring to your child's doctor. This form asks the doctor to state the medical condition of your child, how severe the condition is, and if you are needed at home to care for the child. Be sure to ask your DTA worker to give you a copy of this TAFDC-4 form. Your child does not have to be permanently and totally disabled for your family to get an exemption.

If you can’t get the form done, DTA will also accept medical or school records, or a statement from the child’s doctor, care provider, or other person involved in the child’s care. The records or statement needs to include information about the severity of the child’s disability and how much care they need, and that the child has disability-related needs during the day and/or night that prevent you from working or doing a training program.

Examples of a child's illness that may be severe enough to need a lot of care include serious behavioral or developmental problems, severe asthma, depression, mental retardation, chronic polio, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes, epilepsy, lead poisoning, severe allergies, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, congenital heart disease or other illnesses. This is not a complete list. Any child's illness that requires a lot of care may qualify.

Some children may also have problems from witnessing domestic violence in the home. If you want, you can talk with a domestic violence specialist at DTA about this when you apply for an exemption. You can also talk with an advocate about your options.

No. A disabled child does not need to get SSI benefits for you to qualify for an exemption. You can request an exemption whether or not you are getting or have applied for SSI for the child.

Even though SSI is not required, SSI pays more than TAFDC so you may want to apply for SSI for a child with severe disabilities. An advocate can help you appeal if you are denied.

Yes, if you have to respond to a child's special needs during the school day or after school, and cannot work full-time. For example, some parents are up during the night caring for a child and cannot work because they need to sleep during the daytime.

Yes. You have the right to reapply at any time, even if you have used up 24 months of TAFDC benefits. When you reapply, ask your worker for an exemption from the time limit. Be sure to get a caretaker form. Contact your local Legal Services office if you are denied the right to reapply or denied an exemption.

Yes. Under DTA rules, you may also qualify for an exemption if you are caring for a family member who is a disabled adult such as a spouse, sibling, half-sibling grandparent, great grandparent or adult child. If you have a disabled family member in your home who needs your care, ask the DTA worker for a DTA form to have the disabled adult's doctor fill out.

If you can’t get the form done, DTA will also accept written documentation from their doctor or other care provider if it includes information about how severe the disability is and the reason you are needed to care for them. 

You should not be cut off if you can show “good cause”. You should be able to stay home with a sick child when you need to. If you have to stay home, be sure to tell your DTA worker you have a “good cause” reason for not going to work or school. As long as you provide proof to your worker, DTA should not cut your TAFDC benefits (or “sanction” your case). 

You have the right to ask for a fair hearing.

If you received a notice denying your caretaker exemption or cutting off your TAFDC, contact your local Legal Services office immediately.