Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(A)
Requirements. To remain eligible as a dependent, a
child who has reached his or her 18th birthday
shall:
(1) Be a full-time student in grade 12
or below in a school not beyond the secondary level or in a full-time
vocational or technical training program of the equivalent level designed to
lead to gainful employment; and
(2)
Be reasonably expected to graduate or complete the course of studies or
training before reaching his or her 19th birthday.
Eligibility shall continue through the end of the month in
which the student graduates, up to his or her 19th
birthday.
(B)
Student Status.
(1)
Requirements. A child 18 years of age is considered a
student if he or she is attending a full-time course of training or
study.
(2)
Definition
of Full-time. Full-time school attendance is defined as 30 hours
per week or the full-time schedule determined by the school.
(3)
Verification.
(a) Verification of full-time student status
must be verified by one of the following:
1. a
letter from a school authority;
2.
a notice of grades for the current semester, provided the notice is dated
within 45 days of the application date or eligibility review interview date;
or
3. any other relevant document
from the school and/or instructor.
(b) During the summer months, if the
verification listed in 106 CMR 703.230(B)(3)(a) is unavailable, full-time
student status may be verified by:
1. a report
card from the last semester of the previous school year; or
2. a course schedule or other notice of
attendance for the next school year.
If the documents listed in 106 CMR 703.230(B)(3) are
unavailable, and if the worker is unable to obtain documentation through
collateral contact, the self-declaration of the student may verify full-time
status.
(C)
Gainful
Employment.
(1)
Requirements. A course of study prepares a student for
gainful employment if the school, institution or program is accredited or
approved and the course leads to a certificate or diploma.
(a) If in school, the student must be in a
supervised educational or vocational training program approved by the school
district or by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education (DESE). The program may be part of the regular school program or one
specially arranged for the individual child's educational or vocational
needs.
(b) If in a vocational or
technical training program, the program must be approved by DESE.
(2)
Verification. If verification is necessary, the
accreditation or approval of the school, institution or program is verified by
school or institution documents or other appropriate material.
(D)
Date of Expected
Graduation. The requirement that a dependent child who is 18 years
of age can reasonably be expected to graduate or finish the course of study or
training before his or her 19th birthday shall be
verified by a statement from the appropriate school authority giving the
child's expected date of graduation or completion of the course.
