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statement for all programs, keeping in mind that circumstances may change throughout the year.
b. Children under 22 years of age, living with their natural, adoptive or stepparents. Parents and children must be in one SNAP household even if the child under 22 years old has their own children or a spouse living with them.
Some circumstances allow for separate households. Follow this guidance and process when determining whether parents and children under 22 are “living together” in order to determine if they must participate as one household:
Parent or adults and their children under age 22 who share the kitchen, bathroom, or living area live together and must be one household. Living areas is defined as the living room or bedroom of the residence. A child under age 22 who lives on the parent's property in a separate structure, such as an apartment over the garage or in a camper is included in the household if they use the kitchen, bathroom or living area of the parent's residence every day. A child under age 22 who lives on the property but does not share kitchen, bathroom or living area is probably not part of the same household. There is no requirement that applicants have cooking facilities as a prerequisite for SNAP participation. The Eligibility Staff member documents in case notes the basis for its household composition determination.
Children who are living in more than one SNAP household during the month are considered a member of the household providing or that is responsible for providing the majority of their meals in the month.
In joint custody cases when a child spends equal time with both parents, the Eligibility Staff member discusses options with the households and allows Mom and Dad to choose what is more advantageous to them. They could alternate having children in one or the other's household monthly, every other month, quarterly, every six months, or yearly. If only