4005.3 Step-Parent Income in the TANF Program

In the TANF Program, a step-parent through marriage or civil union who resides with his/her step-children is considered responsible for supporting those children. A portion of the step-parent's income is used to determine the step- children's financial eligibility and the amount of assistance the children receive. To determine the amount of the step-parent's income that is deemed to the assistance unit, follow the steps listed below: NOTE: The assistance unit must include the step-child, the step-child's natural or adoptive parent, and siblings who are also living in the home and who are otherwise eligible. 1. Determine the step-parent's gross income. 2. Deduct $90.00 from earned income. 3. Deduct the TANF standard of need (See DSSM 4007.2) for the family size that includes the step-parent and those individuals who a. live in the step-parent's home b. are the step-parent's dependents for income tax purposes c. are not members of the TANF assistance unit because of a sanction. (These individuals cannot include a person who is removed from the TANF unit because he/she failed without good cause to cooperate with DCSE or the First Step Program and is being sanctioned.) 4. Deduct amounts paid by the step-parent to individuals who are not living in the home, but who are claimed as dependents for income tax purposes. 5. Deduct child support or alimony payments made to individuals not living in the home. The remainder is unearned income used to determine the assistance unit's financial eligibility and grant amount. Summary - Total Income - $90.00 from earned income - Standard of Need - Payments to dependents Countable Income The resources of a step-parent are not considered in determining the financial eligibility of the assistance unit. Resources held jointly by the step-parent and the step-parent's spouse are considered available in their entirety to both partners. If the spouse is a member of the assistance unit, these resources are considered in determining the unit's eligibility. Step-parent budgeting is only used to determine the financial eligibility or benefit level of a step-child when the step- child's natural parent resides in the home. Stepparent income is not used to determine financial eligibility or benefit levels when the step-child's natural parent does not reside in the home. NOTE: If the step-parent is included as a member of the TANF unit, his/her income is budgeted in accordance with rules governing the income of TANF applicants and recipients. 15 DE Reg. 1498 (04/01/12)