209.07 Continued Absence of a Parent: 30-Day Continued Absence Period SR 98-51, 12/98 (FAM-A)

If 30 days of parental absence has not elapsed by the time of the initial eligibility interview but is anticipated, and all other eligibility factors have been met, inform the applicant that financial assistance will be issued upon receipt of verification that the 30-day requirement has been met. The applicant parent’s signature on Form 773, Certification of Continued Absence, fulfills this verification requirement.

Upon verification of continued absence, issue financial assistance benefits for any payroll periods for which the case would have been eligible except for verification of continuous absence.

In MA-only cases contact the individual to ensure the 30-day requirement has been met.

The 30-day continued absence period is considered unbroken if the absent parent returns home to visit the child. It is also considered unbroken if the parents attempted—but failed—to reconcile and reunite the family during the 30-day continued absence period.

However, the 30-day continued absence period is considered broken and must begin anew when reunited parents separate after a temporary adjustment period has expired or when a different absent parent is being used to determine deprivation.