750-1          THE TATemporary Assistance ECONOMIC UNIT

In determining if financial need exists, legal responsibility takes precedence over the applicant’s expression of desire for assistance.  The determination of legal and financial responsibility establishes a TATemporary Assistance ”economic unit” within the dependent child’s residence.

The determination of financial need involves.:

1. Determining who lives with the dependent child. 

2. Determining which, if any, of the persons living with the child is legally or financially responsible for the child and if that person’s income and resources are automatically available to the child. 

3. Determining if the child is financially needy in his or her own right. 

4. Determining if any of the other persons in the household are legally or financially responsible for the child's caretaker relative to determine if: 

• the incomes and resources must be assumed to be available to the caretaker relative, and

• the caretaker relative is financially needy.