711-7          TEMPORARY ABSENCE FROM HOME

711-7 A.     ABSENCES LASTING LESS THAN ONE MONTH

The definition of "home" allows for a child and parent or caretaker relative to be considered living together even if "either the child or the parent or the caretaker relative is temporarily absent from the customary family setting".  As long as the child and the parent or caretaker relative are both in the home one day of the calendar month, ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program eligibility on this factor exists.

711-7 B.     ALLOWABLE ABSENCES EXCEEDING 30 DAYS

The absence of a member of the ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program home exceeding 30 days may be allowable if all of the following conditions of the absence are met and the absence is due to a circumstance listed below:

CONDITIONS

• The location of the absent individual is known;

• There is a definite plan for the return of the absent individual to the ATAP home; and

• The absent individual shared the home with the ATAP household prior to the onset of the extended absence.

CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Hospitalization or Admission to a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center

a.   The illness is such that a return to the family can be expected; and

b.   Parent or caretaker relative responsibility for the child continues.

Note:

A drug and alcohol treatment center is considered hospitalization in a public or private institution.

2. Court Ordered Visitation

a.  The parent or caretaker relative maintains a home for the child to return to;

b.  The intent is for the child to return to the TATemporary Assistance home at the end of the visit;

c.  The child does not receive ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefit payments while in the care of the parent he is visiting; and

d.  The absence does not last longer than 3 calendar months.

3. Education or Training Not Available in the Home Community

Either the child, the parent, or the caretaker relative is absent because of a need for education or training which is not available in the home community and;

a.  The absent student returns to the home at least once each year;

b.  The absent student is not receiving Temporary Assistance in another household;

c.  The absent student intends to return to the home at the completion of his education or training; and

d.  The parent or caretaker relative is maintaining a home to which either they or the child intends to return.

4. Planned Temporary Absence

A parent is temporarily absent from the home for a planned temporary absence, including employment, seeking employment, and military assignment.  The parent remains a mandatory filing unit member while absent. See ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 711-2 for information on household composition.  See ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 770-6 for special rules about military pay.

711-7 C.     VERIFICATION OF TEMPORARY ABSENCE

All temporary absences expected to last a calendar month or longer, and the circumstances of those absences, must be reported.  Verification is not required unless the information reported is questionable.