DTA Verification Documents for a Child-Only Grant in Massachusetts

What DTA Needs to See

To process a child-only TAFDC case, DTA verifies a specific set of eligibility factors. The list is shorter than most people expect — especially because the caregiver's own financial documents are not required.

Here is what DTA asks for, organized by what each document proves.

Child's Identity and Age

Primary: An official birth certificate or U.S. passport.

Alternatives DTA must accept: A hospital birth record, baptismal certificate, school record, or a sworn statement from a physician. Missing verifications do not invalidate the protective filing date, so file the application while you gather them.

Social Security Number

Primary: The child's Social Security card.

Alternative: An SSA-5028 receipt showing a Social Security number application is in progress. DTA cannot deny a TAFDC application solely because the Social Security card hasn't arrived yet.

Your Relationship to the Child

Primary: Birth certificates that link you through the family line — for example, the child's birth certificate showing the parent, and the parent's birth certificate showing you as the grandparent.

Alternative: A sworn affidavit of relationship, combined with supporting records like a census document or religious record.

Massachusetts Residency

Primary: A utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement in your name showing a Massachusetts address.

Alternative: A written statement from your landlord, a shelter director's letter, or a school residency record for the child.

Proof the Child Lives With You

This is the document many caregivers worry about, particularly those with informal arrangements and no court order. DTA accepts several options:

• A Caregiver Authorization Affidavit (M.G.L. c. 201F)
• The child's school emergency contact card listing your address
• A pediatrician record showing your home as the child's address
• A sworn written statement from a third-party professional — a social worker, clergy member, or physician

You do not need a court custody order or guardianship decree to prove the child lives with you. DTA must accept alternative proofs when primary records are unavailable; the examples above are among the listed options.

The Child's Income (If Any)

If the child receives Social Security survivor benefits, disability dependent benefits, or court-ordered child support, bring the SSA award letter or payment records. These amounts are subtracted from the grant dollar-for-dollar. If the child has no independent income, just say so on the application — no additional documentation is required.

What You Do Not Need to Bring

Because this is a child-only case with a non-needy caretaker relative, DTA does not need:

• Your tax returns or pay stubs
• Your bank statements
• Your pension or Social Security award letter
• Proof of your employment status
• Any information about your assets

If a worker asks for these in a child-only case, it may be a misunderstanding of the case type. The regulatory basis is 106 CMR — non-needy caretaker relative income is excluded from the child-only eligibility determination.

The Massachusetts kinship financial help guide includes a printable document-gathering checklist that covers TAFDC, SNAP, and MassHealth together — so you can prepare for all three in one pass and bring everything to a single DTA visit.

See more Massachusetts guides →