Maryland TCA and SNAP Benefit Renewal Deadlines for Kinship Caregivers

Getting approved for benefits in Maryland is only half the battle. The part that catches most kinship caregivers off guard: every program has its own renewal cycle, and missing a deadline can interrupt payments.

TCA and SNAP: 6 to 12 Months

Maryland requires periodic redeterminations for both TCA and SNAP every 6 to 12 months. Your local DSS will mail a renewal notice — but these notices go to the address on file, and if you've moved or the mail is unreliable, missing the notice means missing the deadline.

The redetermination process typically requires:

• Updated proof of income (or confirmation that the child still has no income for child-only TCA)
• Current proof of Maryland residency
• Verification that the child still resides with you
• Updated household composition information

Follow the notice and deadline from your local DSS. If you do not receive a notice or miss the deadline, contact the office promptly to ask what steps are needed to continue or restore benefits.

The 10-Day Change Reporting Rule

Between redeterminations, report changes in household composition, address, or child income above reportable thresholds within 10 calendar days using Form DHS-FIA 491 (Change Report Form). Reportable changes include:

• Change of address
• A child leaving or entering the household
• New income for the child (child support payments starting, trust distributions, SSI)

Filing Form 491 for TCA does not automatically update standalone health coverage or court records. If you move, follow the separate instructions for updating those records.

MCHP/Medicaid: 12 Months Continuous

Children on MCHP/Medicaid receive 12 months of continuous coverage. This is a significant protection — minor temporary income fluctuations during the coverage year won't trigger a mid-year review. At the 12-month mark, the state runs a renewal check and will contact you if updated information is needed.

School Enrollment Affidavit: Annual Before September 30

The informal kinship care school enrollment affidavit (Education § 7-101) should be re-submitted annually. School districts encourage caregivers to re-submit the affidavit and supporting evidence before September 30. Check the local district's instructions for its process.

Healthcare Consent Affidavit

Check with the healthcare provider or DHS Social Services Administration before relying on an older healthcare consent affidavit. Keeping a current signed copy on hand can prevent delays at medical appointments.

Child Care Scholarship

MSDE Child Care Scholarship (CCS) renewals follow their own schedule, separate from DSS programs. If you're receiving a childcare subsidy through the kinship priority exception, watch for renewal notices from MSDE and follow the instructions promptly.

Building a Renewal Calendar

The practical challenge is that you're tracking 4-6 different renewal cycles across different agencies, each with different forms and different mailing addresses. A missed renewal for one program doesn't trigger a warning from another.

The Financial Help for Relatives Raising a Child in Maryland guide includes a 12-month renewal calendar tracker and the Form 491 reporting rules — designed to keep every deadline visible so benefits don't lapse because of a missed piece of mail.

See more Maryland guides →