The Relative Caregiver Program offers financial assistance and Medicaid for a child who is placed by the Court with a relative. The amount of assistance varies depending on the child’s age or other circumstances. 

When does the Case Manager apply for Relative Caregiver Simplified benefits and Relative Caregiver benefits?

If a child is placed in Florida with a relative through the Florida Juvenile Courts based on abuse and neglect, the relative may be eligible to participate in the Relative Caregiver Program.

For the child to be eligible for the Relative Caregiver Simplified benefit:

• The child must be placed through the Florida Juvenile Courts
• A relative home study must be completed and approved in FSFN by the department or by the CBC Case Manager
• The home study must be approved by the court
• The child must also meet the technical, income and asset requirements
• The child must reside in the state of Florida

All relative caregivers need to be referred to the CAP program for level 1 licensure. CAP will then notify Rev Max if an application for Temporary cash assistance/relative caregiver funds should be mailed to the caregiver. Once Rev Max is notified, they will mail the caregiver a Simplified Relative Caregiver Application Packet with instructions and a postage paid return envelope. The simplified relative caregiver program is only available for caregivers residing in the Suncoast Region, all other relative caregivers must apply for Temporary Cash assistance on the ACCESS website at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida. Rev Max will also gather documents that must be submitted with the application.  Should the items needed not be available or not found in ASK, Rev Max staff will contact the case manager for assistance in obtaining the needed items.

This program is for specified relatives who wish to apply for benefits for the child only. Relatives who wish to include themselves for benefits or benefits as non-relative placements must apply at their local DCF Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency (ACCESS) office or apply on-line at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida.  

For the child to be eligible for the Relative Caregiver benefit:

• All of the same requirements as the Simplified Relative Caregiver benefit
• The child must be adjudicated dependent in the State of Florida

If the child has already been adjudicated dependent, Rev Max will also submit, at the time of initial application, the Relative Caregiver Communication Form and required documentation.

What is the purpose and benefit of Rev Max doing this?

• Benefits will be provided to the relative caregiver more expediently
• Reduction in the utilization of the relative caregiver’s time in substantiating provided information
• Stability in placement of the child(ren) based on reduction in economic hardship
• Decrease in duplication of information and verification
• A more streamlined and efficient process for the relative caregiver

What does Rev Max do with the completed packets?

Upon receipt of a completed packet the Rev Max unit reviews for completeness, and records the date of receipt, date forwarded in FSFN and then sends it to DCF Child in Care E-Mail: SR_CIC_RCG@dcf.state.fl.us

What happens to the application once it is received by DCF?

• The case is processed without an actual interview for the relative caregiver if the child is not yet adjudicated or relative caregiver if the child is adjudicated. The case processor will clarify any questionable information prior to approval.
• The case is processed within 30 days from receipt by the ACCESS Program Office (the Region has self imposed 10 days) by the specialized unit/worker. Upon approval/denial ACCESS will mail the caregiver notification of case action including amounts of assistance they can expect to receive.