What it is:
Cash and medical assistance for children who are in the care of a relative of specified degree or a legal guardian or custodian. Adults who act "in loco parentis" or in the place of a parent may also be eligible.
Who is eligible:
Relatives of a specified degree that care for a minor relative child in their home. A relative of specified degree includes:
- Siblings
- Nephews
- Aunts
- Grandparents
- First Cousins
- Nieces
- Uncles
Prefixes of great, great-great or great-great-great are also included. (Such as great-grandparents, great-uncle, etc.) Half-relatives of the above listed relationships can also be considered a relative of specified degree.
Adults who are acting "in the place of a parent" may also be eligible. To be considered as acting in the place of a parent, the adult must have intentionally taken the place of a parent and be responsible for exercising day-to-day care and control of the child. For more information, see the E-Z Manual link at the top of the page.
The Legal Guardian Program provides medical and cash assistance for children who are living with a legal guardian.
To apply for benefits you must:
- Complete an application for benefits.
- Cooperate with the collection of child support unless it is unsafe to do so.
- Sign over child support rights to DSHS.
- Complete an interview.
Read the EA-Z manual entry for Living with a Relative or Guardian.