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TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF 321.1.8 Stepparents A stepparent is not a child’s legal parent but is the legal parent’s spouse/domestic partner. Budget the stepparent’s income when determining financial eligibility. See manual section A-600 for stepparent budgeting policies. A double stepparent family is a household where two married/domestic partner adults have at least one child each and no common child(ren)When both parents have separate children and are requesting assistance, include both married/domestic partner adults and their uncommon children together in one case. If a stepparent chooses to be included in the household, then the requirement in A-321.1.9 would apply. 321.1.8.1 Domestic Partners Nevada law (NRS 122A) defined the relationship of “Domestic Partners.” Domestic partnership is not a marriage,; it is a civil contract and is recognized in Nevada. Domestic Partners are considered “spouses” and have the same rights, protections and benefits as are granted to and imposed upon spouses. The Nevada “Office of the Secretary of State,” shall issue a “Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership.” Any reference to the date of a marriage shall be deemed to refer to the date of registration of the domestic partnership. Domestic partners who wish to terminate the partnership must also file with the Secretary of State. Effective July 1, 2017, domestic partnerships and same sex marriages registered in other states no longer need to be registered in Nevada. 321.1.9 Joint Custody In cases involving parents with joint custody (parents share physical custody of the children), regardless if there is a court order, the worker should assume the applicant (parent making application) is the primary custodial parent unless evidence to the contrary is presented. If the applicant states s/he is the primary custodial parent, no additional information is required. he case should be processed using normal processing standards. 1. When the applicant is uncertain whether s/he is the primary custodial parent, the worker must investigate further. By ascertaining such facts as where the child(ren) are zoned for school, the parent responsible for providing daycare and/or medical care, which parent claims the child(ren) as dependent(s) on the income tax return, etc., the worker should be able, using prudent judgment, to determine if the applicant is the primary custodial parent. If the facts obtained from the investigation indicate the applicant is the primary custodial parent, the case should be processed using normal processing standards. Consider the time spent with the other parent as a temporary absence. 2. When the applicant claims “true” joint custody, all of the following must exist: – the child(ren) actually alternate between parents each week (or some period less than a month); and – both parents exercise parental guidance and control; and – both parents provide equal financial support (no child support ordered or Division of Welfare and Supportive Services HOUSEHOLD DETERMINATION Eligibility and Payments Manual 321.1.8 Stepparents MTL 05/24 Nov 24 A-321