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If the deceased person’s name is present on the deed or parcel along with another household member’s name, the LSP may process the application. LSPs should work with the applicant at a later date to remove the name of the deceased household member. Divorced Household Members: If applicants were divorced or separated within the past three (3) months, then income from the absent spouse may be excluded and the remaining spouse counted as a single person for the full three (3) months prior to application. Documentation can be a divorce or separation decree or any other verification of separation. Applicants can also fill out Form NHMD-2026 – Non-Household Members Declaration Form, in the place of a decree.

Not Counted but Present Household Members Household members who should not be counted, but may be present, are the following:

Drop-In Household Guests: A drop-in guest is defined as an unexpected or casual visitor, family member, friend, etc., who has resided in the household fewer than three (3) months and who the applicant certifies will be in the home fewer than (3) months. Drop-in guests are not to be included on the application. Drop-in guests are not counted as a member of the household or as part of the income calculations. If an applicant wishes to count a drop-in guest as a part of the household, the applicant must wait and apply after the guest has reached the three (3) month requirement.

If there is a question on the part of the LSP as to the status of any household member the LSP may require a collateral contact. This could be in the form of a statement from a neighbor, friend, or relative as to the living situation of the person(s) in question. Foreign Exchange Student: Foreign Exchange Students do not count as part of the applicant’s household. They are considered an ineligible applicant. Any stipend received by the host family is counted as household income. Foster Children: Foster children do not count as part of the applicant’s household. Any stipend received by the household for the children is not counted as income. If the foster children are adopted by the adults in the household, these children would be counted as household members.