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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 06/2019

NEW SPOUSE INCOME

0022.11

MFIP, DWP: Under the New Spouse Income (NSI) policy, earned and unearned income for some newly married assistance unit members may not be counted in calculating a family's grant amount.

The Designated Spouse is the person whose income may not be counted. See DESIGNATED SPOUSE 0002.15 (Glossary: Deed...). To determine the Designated Spouse

● If only 1 newly-married member is in an existing MFIP, DWP or RCA assistance unit, the spouse joining the assistance unit will be the Designated Spouse.

● If both newly-married members are part of the same OR different existing MFIP, DWP or RCA assistance units, they may choose, but are not required to choose, who is the Designated Spouse.

- If the newly-married members do not choose a Designated Spouse, the eligibility worker should use the current case information to determine which designation would most benefit the household. Things that may be considered include: which spouse has the most counted income, which spouse has recent work history and will the person’s personal situation allow the income to not be counted (see below). If neither spouse has income, the eligibility worker will select the 1st spouse to have counted earned or unearned income during the 12 consecutive months as the Designated Spouse.

If the Designated Spouse fits into any of the 4 categories below their income must continue to count:

● Failing to provide Social Security Number.

● Having a current fraud disqualification.

● Being a fleeing felon.

● Being a parole violator.

Once determined, the Designated Spouse remains the same.

The period that the NSI policy covers is the 12 consecutive calendar months beginning the month following the month of marriage. See 0010.18.01 (Mandatory Verifications – Cash Assistance), 0017.11 (Determining New Spouse Income).

The 12 consecutive months:

● Begin the month after the month of marriage.

● May include a period of program ineligibility of 30 days or greater.

● Are not altered or cancelled by eligibility switching between DWP, MFIP or RCA.

To be eligible for the New Spouse Income policy, an existing assistance unit must:

● Be active on MFIP, DWP, or RCA in the month of marriage.

● Have a verified marriage date of 12-01-18 or later.

● Have a combined gross income that does not exceed 275% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG). See 0017.11 (Determining New Spouse Income).

● Have the Designated Spouse selected.