The Code of Federal Regulations 42-435.115(f) requires: Each dependent child, and each relative with whom such a child lives, including the spouse of such relative as described in subsection (b), who becomes ineligible for MAF (with or without cash) as a result (wholly or partly) of the collection or increased collection of child or spousal support under Part D, and who received such aid in at least three of the six months immediately preceding the month in which such ineligibility begins, is deemed an MAF recipient for an additional four months beginning with the month in which such ineligibility begins.
If an MAF case is closed because of receipt of or increase in child or spousal support, continue MC+ healthcare coverage for four months provided:
Ineligibility created because a claimant marries a stepparent who receives child support or alimony does not entitle the case to four months of continued benefits. Only when a stepparent (who is already considered in the case) begins receiving child support or alimony, or receives an increase in child support or alimony, is the case entitled to the four month continuation of Title XIX benefits.
In some situations it will be beneficial to remove children receiving child support from the MAF assistance group, rather than place all family members on extended MAF.
EXAMPLE: A mother and her three children receive MAF with cash. Two of the children start receiving child support making the case ineligible. The mother and the third child remain eligible for MAF only, by removing the children receiving child support from the assistance group. The two children receiving child support are entitled to the four months of extended MAF. If the family was also receiving Temporary Assistance close the cash.
When transferring MAF cases to extended MAF, determine if any of the children are eligible for the MC+ as non-CHIP children. If so, register and process an MC+ application.
At the end of the four month extension determine if any individual on the case is eligible for MC+ as a CHIP child or an uninsured custodial parent. If so, register and process an MC+ application.
In computing the four-month period for which the family remains eligible, the first month to count is the first month after the last correctly received month of MAF.
EXAMPLE: If the claimant received child support (causing ineligibility) on 1/26, and the last correctly received month of MAF is in February, the four month period begins in March and ends in June.
Please note the four-month period begins in the first month after the month of the last correctly received MAF month, not the month in which the change is discovered. If the family received MAF for months they were not eligible, count these months in the four- month period. If the family was ineligible for four months or more when the ineligibility is discovered, do not allow the family any continuing coverage under this category. Explore eligibility for other MC+ healthcare coverage groups.
When a MAF case is closed because of receipt of or increase in child support or alimony and eligibility on all other factors continues to exist, change the MAF case to Extended MAF.
Once eligibility for the four-month extension of MAF benefits is established, the family remains eligible during this period as long as the family continues to be eligible on all other eligibility factors.
If the family becomes ineligible on any other factor during the four-month eligibility period, close the case.
On the advance notice that advises the recipient of the discontinuance of the MAF, advise the recipient of the following:
If the family becomes eligible for MAF during the four-month extension, restore the MAF eligibility. An application is not needed. Notify DCSE of any changes that occurred and of the current situation.