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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 102 – Non-Financial Requirements Page |73 Effective Month: September 2018 Verification of a Marital Relationship Marital status is verified by client statement or self-declaration. Refer to 102.01.01 when determining if information is considered questionable and requires additional verification. Changes in Marital Relationship - Applications Marriage or termination of marriage, including separation, is effective the month the event occurs. In application situations, individuals must be in the home at least one day of the month to be included in that month. Example: A household applies May 27. On June 5, the head of household reports her spouse, and the father of the children returned to the home on May 30. The spouse is considered part of the household effective May 1. If the spouse had moved back in the home on June 3, he would be included in the household effective June 1. However, when a head of household reports prior to the eligibility determination that a person moved out, that person is not considered part of the household in the month the change occurred. Example: A household applies on July 30th. On August 8th, the head of household reports that her husband and the father of the children abandoned the family on August 3rd, and she does not expect him to return. The spouse would not be included in the household effective August 1. Changes in Marital Relationship – Active Cases A change in marital status must be reported by adult recipients eligible in the Parents and Caretaker Relatives Program. When an adult becomes ineligible due to a change in marital status, eligibility is terminated allowing advance notice of termination. Any changes resulting for the children will be handled at review, as specified in Chapter 101.16.05, Taking Action on Reported Changes.