TN 27 (12-00)

A. Policy — entitlement for July 1996 or later

A stepchild becoming initially entitled for July 1996 or later must have been receiving at least one-half support from the NH at one of the points listed in GN 00306.007 or GN 00306.008.

“Living-with” will not be an option for proving dependency. This change results from section 104 of P.L. 104-121. See RS 01301.010 for how to determine one-half support for a stepchild.

NOTE: The one-half support requirement does not apply to stepchild reentitlements actions when the reentitlement criteria in RS 00203.015A.1. are met.

B. Policy — entitlements for months before July 1996

A stepchild becoming entitled for months before July 1996 must have been living with or receiving at least one-half support from the NH at one of the points listed in GN 00306.007 or GN 00306.008.

(See RS 01301.001 ff. for a definition of “living with.” See RS 01301.010 for how to determine one-half support for a stepchild.)

C. Policy — existence of relationship

1. General

A stepchild cannot meet the dependency requirement using the dependency points until after a step-relationship exist. See GN 00306.001, Determining Status as Child and GN 00306.009, Dependency Point Chart.

2. Exception

Under special circumstances dependency may be met, even if the step-relationship has not existed for one year. See RS 01301.020C for more information.

3. Prior to 6/1/81

If the relationship was created before a specified time, the child may have been dependent at that time even if he/she did not meet the duration-of-relationship requirement until a later date.