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8.3A.4. TITLE IV-E, Foster Care Maintenance Payments Program, Eligibility, Child in facility outside scope of foster care
Answer
As long as the original court order pertaining to the child's removal is still in effect, the title IV-E agency may claim title IV-E funds when the child returns to a foster care setting.
Federal financial participation is not available while the child is placed in a facility that is considered outside the scope of "foster care."
Source/Date
Questions and Answers on the Final Rule (65 FR 4020) (1/25/00); April 6, 2010
Legal and Related References
Social Security Act - section 472 (a); 45 CFR 1355.20
Answer
The title IV-E agency must comply with the title IV-E eligibility criteria as set forth in the statute at section 472 (a) of the Social Security Act (the Act) and the implementing regulations at 45 CFR 1356.21(b), (c), and (d). The title IV-E agency must establish the child's eligibility at removal (which includes meeting the Aid to Families with Dependent Children eligibility requirements as in effect on July 16, 1996 and judicial determinations to the effect that it is contrary to the child's welfare to remain in the home and that reasonable efforts were made to prevent such removal) even for children who are not initially placed in a foster care setting. Title IV-E is an entitlement program and, as such, no flexibility exists with respect to satisfying the requisite eligibility criteria. If such eligibility criteria are not satisfied within the time frames prescribed in the regulation, the child is ineligible for title IV-E funds.
When the child is transferred to a facility that meets the requirements of section 472 (c) of the Act, Federal financial participation is available from the first day of placement in the month in which all title IV-E eligibility requirements are met.
Source/Date
Questions and Answers on the Final Rule (65 FR 4020) (1/25/00); ACYF-CB-PIQ 88-03 (4/11/88); 10/23/2019
Legal and Related References
Social Security Act - section 472 and 479B; 45 CFR 1356.21
Answer
No. The child is not eligible for title IV-E while placed with the non-custodial parent (see Child Welfare Policy Manual Section 8.3A.3 Q/A #1). However, the child's placement with the non-custodial parent has no bearing on whether the title IV-E agency may claim title IV-E reimbursement for the child when s/he is later placed in a licensed foster family home, so long as the title IV-E agency maintains placement and care responsibility and the child otherwise meets the criteria in sections 472(a)(2)(A) and (B) and 472(a)(3) of the Act. Presuming the title IV-E agency has already obtained a contrary to the welfare finding in relation to the custodial parent, it remains valid for title IV-E purposes unless the title IV-E agency's placement and care responsibility ends and the child is removed again pursuant to a court order or voluntary placement agreement.
Source/Date
12/6/2007; 10/23/2019
Legal and Related References
Social Security Act - sections 472(a)(2)(A) and (B), and 479B; 45 CFR 1355.20