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2026 - 2027 I PY27 NH Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) Procedures Manual 32 Child Residency When Custody is Shared

Children living with parents who share custody and maintain separate households can be counted as a household member in only one household each year. The parent who applies for assistance first may include the child in their household if they have primary or shared custody. If there is a dispute about which household should ‘claim’ the child on the application, applicants should provide court documentation such as physical custody orders or parenting plans to determine where the child resides the majority of the time. Parents can also take turns each year including the child in their household application.

If there is no parental rights/custody document in place or if shared custody is divided evenly (50/50), the applicant can provide documentation that may include, but is not limited to, verification from the school where the child is enrolled, DHHS award letter for SNAP or Cash Assistance that includes the child, a physician’s statement verifying residence on record, or day care provider statements verifying residence on record. Parents can also sign a Child Residency Agreement.

If custody is shared equally and the dispute cannot be resolved, the parent who applies earliest each year can include the children in the household.