Another thing, in addition to the other post... one of the main eligibility criteria are that you must be "1. able 2. AVAILABLE 3. and willing" to work for at least a 20hr. per week job. If you can show you've actively looked for work for at least a 20hr job and you're WILLING (available!) to leave your brother for this amount of time, and you're capable (able) of doing gainful, substantial work then you should be eligible. In TN anyhow.