How to Apply for TCA Child-Only in Maryland

Maryland's TCA application process is the same whether you are a parent or a relative — but the way you fill out the forms matters enormously for a child-only case. Getting it wrong can trigger household income counting that should never apply to you.

Choose Your Application Channel

You have three options, and all lead to the same eligibility determination:

1. Online at MarylandBenefits.gov — the fastest channel, with document upload built in.
2. Paper using Form DHS/FIA 9701 (Application for Assistance) or Form DHS/FIA 9702 (Application for One Person). Pick up copies at your local DSS or download them from the DHS website.
3. In person at your local Department of Social Services, where you can complete the application with help from intake staff.

Whichever channel you use, file the application as soon as possible — even before you have every document ready. Maryland counts eligibility from the date a signed application containing at least your name, address, and signature is received. Documents can follow.

Specify Child-Only Status

This is the critical step. When the application asks about household members and income, you need to apply on behalf of the child alone. You are the "non-needy caretaker relative" — you are not seeking benefits for yourself. Your local DSS will use Form DHS-FIA 434-C (TCA SMEF Child-only) to budget the grant using only the child's income.

If you accidentally include yourself in the assistance unit, the caseworker may count your income against the grant. Make sure the application clearly identifies you as the caregiver who is declining personal assistance and requesting a child-only grant.

Prepare Your Documents

You will need to verify the child's identity (birth certificate or hospital record), Social Security number (or proof you have applied for one), Maryland residency (lease, utility bill, or landlord statement), and your relationship to the child (birth certificates showing lineage, a custody order if you have one, or a sworn statement). If the child has any income — child support, survivor benefits — bring those records too.

The local DSS must send you Form DHS-FIA 1052 (Request for Information to Verify Eligibility) with a minimum 10-day deadline if anything is missing. They are also required to help you obtain hard-to-get documents like out-of-state birth certificates rather than deny your application outright.

The Interview

After filing, your local DSS will schedule a caseworker interview — by phone or in person. The statewide TCA denial rate hit 86.6% in September 2025, and missed interviews are one of the top reasons. The call often comes from an unlisted number. If you miss it, the application is typically denied for "failure to complete the interview." Ask your caseworker for a specific date and time, and if you miss the call, contact the office the same day to reschedule.

Timeline

Maryland must process TCA applications within 30 calendar days. If your application sits longer without action, escalate through the local DSS constituent services office or the DHS State Customer Service Center at 1-800-332-6347.

The Maryland Financial Help Guide includes an application tracker and interview preparation checklist designed specifically for child-only TCA cases — so you know exactly what to say and what to bring.

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