Budget Group Composition
In a WHM’s budget group the spouse is always included and his or her income (exception: SSI spouse and children, which includes legally adopted and stepchildren living in the home are excluded and their income). The member can choose to include or exclude her child (ren) from the budget group if income belonging to a child will affect the applicant eligibility. If she includes her child(ren) or stepchild(ren) living in the home, she must include their income. If she decides to remove the child(ren) from her BG in an attempt to become eligible; she will be reducing the size of her BG. The child(ren) must be the biological, stepchild, or a legally adopted child of the member. No other specified relative meets this budget group description for WHM.
Chart 2198.1 – Budget Group Composition IF THE APPLICANT LIVES AND THEN INCLUDE alone or in the household of others (They may be related to the applicant) her Spouse does NOT live there Applicant with her Spouse they live alone or in the household with others (may be related or not) Applicant and Spouse with the other parent, Father of her child(ren), but they are not married other parent and his child(ren) in the household Applicant and their common child(ren). Do Not include the other parent or his or her child(ren). with her child(ren) they live alone or in the household with others (may be related or not) Applicant and her other child(ren), if she chooses to include them. They must be her biological or adopted child(ren). with her Spouse and she has other child(ren) her Spouse has his child(ren) in the household Applicant, Spouse, her child(ren); common, adopted, and step(children), if she chooses to include them.
Determining who not to include in the WHM budget group:
Other Parent’s Children
Other relatives living in the home Parents, siblings, nieces, cousins, etc. Specified Relative Relationship
Child (ren) 19 years of age or older
Child and/or spouse, living in the home who are receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income).
Child(ren) should be included or excluded based on the information provided. The goal is to try and make the woman eligible at the end of the exclusion or inclusion. Refer to Chart 2198.1 – Budget Group Composition for more information.