Eligibility Criteria 401-01-20-10

(Revised 2/1/17 ML #3485)

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IM 5451

  

 

Eligible individuals are:

• Teen parents may be eligible through the month the teen parent turns 21 years of age
  
  
• Teen parents who are working while pursuing education may remain eligible for Crossroads through the month the teen parent turns 21
  
  
• Teen parents who are participating in case management services
  

• Teen parents who are male or female

• Teen parents who are married or unmarried

• Teen parents who have the primary responsibility for the care of their child

• Teen parents who are actively working on completing their education

• Teen parents must be a resident of North Dakota

• Teen parent and child must reside in the same home

 

The Crossroads Program does not consider assets or income when determining eligibility.

 

A child in receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be eligible for Crossroads provided the parent meets the Crossroads eligibility criteria.

 

When an individual eligible for Crossroads resides with the other parent of the child, the individual may be eligible for Crossroads without regard to the activities or income of the spouse or other parent.

 

If both parents of the child are in the home with the child and both parents are pursuing high school, GED or alternative high school education, both parents may participate in the Crossroads Program.

• If the parents are married, one Crossroads application is needed and one case file is established
  
  
• If the parents are not married, each parent must apply on their own behalf and a Crossroads case for each parent needs to be established

If a parent has shared custody (50/50) of their child, each parent may be eligible for Crossroads.

 

Parents who participated in the Crossroads Program during the previous school year and intend to participate in the Crossroads program for the next school year continue to be eligible if:

• The break is less than a full calendar month
  
  
• The break is more than a full calendar month- if employed or participating in case management services

When there is a break of more than one full calendar month between educational activities (such as summer months) and during that break the individual is employed or receiving case management services, verification of participation is required.

 

Verification of school enrollment is needed:

• At application
• Each semester

At the time it is learned that the individual will not be returning to school, eligibility for Crossroads ends.

 

Example #1: Parent age 17 has a child. The parent is attending high school and has a three week break from school due to holidays. The parent will resume attendance after the three week break. The parent is considered Crossroads eligible throughout the break.

 

Example #2: Parent age 16 has a child. The parent attends grade 11 in high school and is employed part time. School term ends in May and the parent will return to school in August. Since the parent will return to school in August, and is working part time, the parent will remain eligible for Crossroads.

 

Example #3: Parent is age 16 and has a child. The parent attended high school in May and plans on returning to school in August. During the break, the student will not be employed or working with a Crossroads case manager, therefore, the Crossroads case must be closed the end of May.

 

In July, the parent reports employment and requests assistance through Crossroads, the parent will need to complete a new Crossroads Program application.

 

Example #4: Parent age 16 has a child. School ends in May, the parent intends to return to high school in the fall and continues to participate in case management services. Since the parent will be continuing with case management services through the summer the Crossroads case will remain open.

 

The parent decides in June they do not want to continue with case management but still intend to return to high school in the fall. The Crossroads case must close at the end of June because the parent is not in school, employed or participating in case management and there will be a break of more than 30 days.