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Chapter: 2200 Standard Filing Unit Program: FS 3 Spouses who usually reside together must be included in one SFU, except that separate SFU status may be granted if one of the individuals has established a separate residence outside the home.

Example: A truck driver who is away from the home for 10 days and returns for two days at the end of each trip has not established a residence separate and apart, and therefore must be considered an SFU member. However, if the spouse is in the armed forces, the spouse may be considered a non-SFU member, if the spouse is away on assignment for a month or longer. 2210.0306 Children Under 18 (FS) Children under 18 must be included in the AG of the individual who is the parent or acting as a parent to those children, with the following exception, the child is a foster child. 2210.0307 Foster Children (FS) The needs, income and assets of a foster child may be excluded from the food stamp AG of the foster family if the foster family chooses to exclude the child. When the foster family excludes the needs of the child, the child is not included when determining the size of the food stamp AG, nor are the foster child's income and assets considered. The child's income is excluded even if it is paid to a member of the foster family. If the foster parent chooses to include the foster child in their food stamp AG, the child's income and assets, as well as his needs, are considered in the eligibility determination. The foster child, including a child or spouse of the foster child, may not apply for benefits separately from the foster family. 2210.0308 Elderly and Disabled Individuals Living with Others (FS) A group of individuals living together and who purchase and prepare meals together generally constitute a single SFU. The exception to this policy involves an individual who is age 60 or older, disabled, and unable to purchase and prepare his/her own meals. In such a case, the individual eats with others because he is unable to purchase and prepare meals for himself. If this occurs, the individual must verify that he is unable to purchase and prepare meals himself. This may be accomplished with a doctor's statement. If visibly obvious to the eligibility specialist, no written statement is required. The eligibility specialist will document CLRC with evidence of this determination.

If the income of the others with whom the individual resides, excluding the income of the spouse of the elderly and disabled individual, does not exceed 165% of the gross monthly income standard, then the individual, along with their spouse, qualifies as a separate food stamp assistance group. When applying the 165% limit test, the elderly and disabled person and spouse are not to be considered SFU members. Refer to Chapter 2600 for policy on the 165% limit test. 2210.0309 Definition of Inability to Purchase and Prepare Meals (FS) The key factor in determining whether or not disability would qualify an SFU for separate status is the inability to purchase and prepare meals. If it is obvious to the eligibility specialist that the individual could not purchase and prepare meals, separate SFU status should be granted. However, when the inability to purchase and prepare meals is not obvious, the eligibility specialist should request a doctor's statement.

Disability under SSA, as well as other disability programs, is based on inability to work. Therefore, receipt of a disability benefit does not automatically mean an inability to purchase and prepare meals.