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TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF TANF 640.7.3 Budgeting Procedures in Stepparent Cases When Both Parents Have Eligible Children and No Common Children for Whom They Want to Apply (Double Stepparent Case) To determine eligibility and benefits, follow these steps: 1. Evaluate the income of all household members (parents and children) as one assistance unit. 2. If eligible as one assistance unit continue normal case processing. 3. If the household is ineligible as one unit, consider separate eligibility for each parent and their own child(ren). The income of the other parent (spouse) is budgeted using stepparent budgeting procedures. 4. If both cases are ineligible, deny them both. 640.7.4 Stepparents Applying for Dependent Children Not Residing with Their Natural/Adoptive Parent If a stepparent lives with his minor dependent stepchild, and the legal parent is not in the home, use the following process. Step Action 1. If the stepparent requests to be included, count the stepparent’s full income when determining eligibility. If the income is below the TANF limits, approve the stepchild and the stepparent. If the income exceeds the TANF income limits and the budget includes at least one cent or more of the stepparent’s income, go to Step 2. Exception: If the stepparent’s child who is a half-sibling to the stepchild also lives in the home, do not go to Step 2. Test the stepchild and the half-sibling for a medical category. 2. Consider the stepparent a payee for the case. Do not use stepparent budgeting because the natural/adoptive parent is NOT in the home and the stepparent is not included in the budget. If the child’s own income does not exceed the TANF limits, approve the stepchild for TANF. If the child’s income exceeds the TANF limits deny or terminate cash benefits. A-640.7.3 BUDGETING Division of Social Services Eligibility and Payments Manual 11 Aug 25 MTL 10/25 Budgeting Procedures in Stepparent Cases When Both Parents Have Eligible Children and No Common Children for Whom They Want to Apply (Double Stepparent Case)