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parents. See Chapter 3, page 3000 and page 3102 for more information regarding Minor Mother Criteria. STEPPARENT SITUATIONS A stepparent is an individual who is ceremonially or legally married to the parent of the stepchildren. He is expected to be living in the home with the family except for the usual temporary absences, such as hospitalization or absence for work purposes.

Volume III | Chapter 6

Deeming Procedures When a non-S SI stepparent lives with the assistance children and is not requesting or receiving TANF benefits for his own children nor his stepchildren, the worker will: 1. Use form MDHS-EA-348, Request for Income and Resource Information for Stepparent/New Spouse, to secure a signed statement from the stepparent and/or the spouse regarding the stepparent's income, resources and any deductions to be allowed from the stepparent's income. The payee, not the stepparent, is responsible for supplying necessary information; hence, the stepparent's signature on the form is helpful but not required. Reject or terminate assistance if the payee is unable to secure or assist in securing the necessary information. See Chapter 5, RESOURCES, regarding Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility. 2. Use regular procedures to verify the stepparent's income, resources, claims of income tax dependency, and contributions. Accept the stepparent's or individual's statement regarding individuals he could claim as dependents under Internal Revenue rules unless the worker has a basis for doubting the claim. Handle lump sum payments received by a stepparent. According to policy set out in Chapter 5, Resources to be Included, and this chapter, Special Budgeting Procedures. 3. Make a trial budget including the needs and income of the stepparent and any individuals in the home who are or could be claimed by the stepparent as his dependents for federal income tax purposes. Do not include any sanctioned individual. See below for special procedures when the stepparent's own children have income which exceeds their needs EXCEPTION: Do not include the needs of the spouse and assistance children in the trial budget. Include only the stepparent's gross income less the following: 6103 MISSISSIPPI BUDGETARY PROCESS:SPECIAL BUDGETING PROCEDURES

Revised 09 - 01 - 10