Division of Family and Economic Security, Bureau of Working Families

Emergency Assistance Manual

2.4.3 Caretaker Relative

Each caretaker relative in the EAEAEmergency Assistance Group must meet all of the following criteria: 

  • Be at least 18 years of age (unless the individual is a Minor Caretaker Relative; see 2.4.4). 
  • Be related to at least one dependent child in the EA Group in one of the following relationships: 
    • Natural or adoptive parent; 
    • Stepfather or stepmother; 
    • Natural, legally adopted, half-, or step-brother or -sister; 
    • Grandmother or grandfather, aunt or uncle, first cousin, niece or nephew, or any preceding generation denoted by the prefix grand-, great-grand, or great-great-grand-, including those through adoption; or 
    • Legal spouse of any individual listed above even after the marriage is ended by death or divorce. 
  • Currently living with the dependent child(ren) or have lived with the dependent child(ren) within six months prior to the emergency. 
  • Anticipated to live with the dependent child(ren) in the month following the date of the EA application. 
  • Exercising care and control for the dependent child(ren). This includes making decisions about education, health care, and any treatment, hospitalization, and long-distance travel. 

EXAMPLE 1: Linda’s niece, Anna, lives with her full-time in Wisconsin and attends high school near Linda’s home. Anna’s mother lives in Michigan and signed a statement giving Linda “care and control” for Anna. There was no legal transfer of guardianship; however, Linda is authorized to make decisions regarding Anna’s health care, education, and long-distance travel. Linda meets the definition of “caretaker relative”.

EXAMPLE 2: Alice, her adult daughter, Jamie, and grandson, Larry, live together and share living expenses. While Jamie is working, Alice provides childcare for Larry. Even though Larry lives with Alice, and she provides childcare, Alice does not exercise “care and control” for Larry. Jamie makes all decisions regarding her son’s health care, education, etc. Alice does not meet the definition of “caretaker relative” and must be excluded from the EA Group.

EXAMPLE 3: Miranda applied for EA due to impending homelessness. She listed herself, three friends, and her 3-year-old child on her EA application. The EA Group consists of Miranda and her child. The three other adults must not included in the EA Group because they are not relatives of Miranda’s child and do not have caretaker responsibility for Miranda’s child. Only Miranda’s income and assets would be counted.

EXAMPLE 4: Carlos applied for EA due to an energy crisis. In the household, he listed himself, his two daughters Zoe and Raven, and his girlfriend Brianna. Brianna is not Zoe or Raven’s mother. The EA Group consists of Carlos and his two daughters. Brianna must not be included in the EA Group because she is not married to Carlos or related to either child in the household.