CONVERTING A PREGNANT WOMAN CASE
ISSUE DATE: 09/2025
MFIP:
These procedures apply when you are converting a Pregnant Woman case to a regular case when the child is born.
A pregnant woman and her spouse may be eligible for assistance. A pregnant woman cannot get a grant alone (or with her spouse) if she has other birth, step, or adoptive children living with her. See 0013.03.03 (Pregnant Woman Basis – MFIP/DWP), 0014.03 (Determining the Assistance Unit), 0014.03.03 (Determining the Cash Assistance Unit).
When the household composition changes, redetermine eligibility for the entire unit and verify all eligibility factors. See 0010.18.01 (Mandatory Verifications – Cash Assistance).
IF THE PREGNANT WOMAN LIVES ALONE
Take a Combined Application Form (CAF) Addendum (DHS-5223C) (PDF). Add the newborn retroactive to the 1st day of the month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence), or the 1st of the month an addendum is filed, whichever is later. Make a referral to child support. See 0008.06.06 (Adding a Person to the Unit - Cash), 0012.21.03 (Support From Non-Custodial Parents), 0014.09 (Assistance Units Temporary Absence).
NOTE: | If the pregnant woman is married to a military person who is out of the home on military duty, do not make a Child Support Referral when there is no breakdown in the marital relationship. |
IF THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S SPOUSE IS IN THE HOME
Take a Combined Application Form (CAF) Addendum (DHS-5223C) (PDF). Add the newborn retroactive to the 1st day of the month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence), or the 1st of the month an addendum is filed, whichever is later. See 0008.06.06 (Adding a Person to the Unit - Cash), 0014.09 (Assistance Units Temporary Absence).
IF THE PREGNANT WOMAN IS NOT MARRIED AND THE CHILD'S ALLEGED FATHER IS IN THE HOME
1. | After the child is born, if the parents have not signed the Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage form (DHS-3159) (PDF) at the hospital, offer them the opportunity to establish paternity by signing the DHS 3159. If the parents sign the form, continue with Step 2. |
2. | When the parents sign the Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage form (DHS-3159) (PDF), take an addendum for the newborn and the father. Determine eligibility and benefits for the full month, adding the newborn and including the father's needs and income. The unit must be prospectively eligible. Eligibility for the father and newborn is retroactive to the 1st day of the month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence), or the 1st of the month an addendum is filed, OR the date the unit meets all other eligibility factors, whichever is later. |
3. | Issue the difference between the amount determined in Step 2 and the amount already issued, if any. Do not cite an overpayment for the 1st month the child is born (if the child is in the home or meets the provisions of temporary absence). See 0014.09 (Assistance Units - Temporary Absence), 0025 (Benefit Adjustments and Recovery). |
DWP:
Follow MFIP, EXCEPT, in a 1-parent unit, once the child is born, the unit is not eligible for DWP unless the parent has already used all the months of the child under 12 months ES exemption. Take a Combined Application – Addendum (DHS-5223C) (PDF) for the newborn and move the case to MFIP. If the determination is made more than 30 days after the DWP application date, have the participant complete a Minnesota Transition Application Form (MTAF) (DHS-5223E) (PDF) as part of the conversion process. Terminate DWP allowing for proper notice.
SNAP, MSA, GA, GRH:
No provisions.
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