# Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.002: DEFINITION OF DEPENDENT CHILD

> Texas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.002

## Section

- **Citation:** Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.002
- **Heading:** DEFINITION OF DEPENDENT CHILD
- **Jurisdiction:** Texas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TX Code / Code hr / Chapter 31 / Section 31.002

## Text

(a) In this chapter, the term "dependent child" applies to a child:

(1) who is a resident of this state;

(2) who is under 18 years of age or is under 19 years of age and is a full-time student in a secondary school or at the equivalent level of vocational or technical training if, before the child's 19th birthday, the child may reasonably be expected to complete the secondary school or training program;

(3) who has been deprived of parental support or care because of the death, continued absence from home, or physical or mental incapacity of a parent;

(4) who has insufficient income or other resources to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with health and decency; and

(5) who is living in the home residence of his or her father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, or niece.

(b) In this chapter, the term "dependent child" also applies to a child:

(1) who meets the specifications set forth in Subsections (a)(1)-(4);

(2) who has been removed from the home of a relative specified in Subsection (a)(5) as a result of a judicial determination that the child's residence there is contrary to his or her welfare;

(3) whose placement and care are the responsibility of the Department of Family and Protective Services or an agency with which the Department of Family and Protective Services has entered into an agreement for the care and supervision of the child;

(4) who has been placed in a residential child-care facility by the Department of Family and Protective Services; and

(5) for whom the state may receive federal funds for the purpose of providing foster care in accordance with rules promulgated by the executive commissioner.

## Nearby sections

- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.001 § 31.001. TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.001.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.002 § 31.002. DEFINITION OF DEPENDENT CHILD.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.002.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.003 § 31.003. AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.003.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.004 § 31.004. FOSTER CARE.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.004.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.005 § 31.005. DEPENDENT CHILD RESIDING WITH RELATIVES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.005.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.006 § 31.006. WELFARE AND RELATED SERVICES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.006.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.007 § 31.007. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN INSTITUTIONS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.007.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.008 § 31.008. COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE SERVICES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.008.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.010 § 31.010. SUPPORT SERVICES.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.010.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.012 § 31.012. MANDATORY WORK OR PARTICIPATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGH TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.012.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.015 § 31.015. HEALTHY MARRIAGE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.015.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.016 § 31.016. SERVICE REFERRALS FOR CERTAIN RECIPIENTS.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.016.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.017 § 31.017. HEALTHY MARRIAGES AND STRONG FAMILIES GRANT PROGRAM.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.017.md)
- [Tex. Human Resources Code § 31.018 § 31.018. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY PROGRAM FUNDING.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.018.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TX_Chr_C31_S31.002. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.