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1197 (07/2026) Chapter 8: Examples • Chapter 8: Examples ERDC Example 1: Bryan and Elaine live together, they are not married. Bryan has a child from a previous relationship and Elaine also has a child from a previous relationship. They have no common children. Together Bryan and Elaine do not meet the requirements of an ERDC filing group. They do meet the requirements as two separate filing groups in the same household. Bryan and his child are on one case and Elaine and her child on another. Three months later, Elaine calls to report she is pregnant with Bryan’s child. When Elaine calls to report the unborn, the cases are combined as one case because the common child (unborn) now ties Elaine and her other child to Bryan and his child. Any changes due to combining households and income that increase the copay must be given a 10-day notice. Example 2: Molly has legal custody of her two grandchildren. The children’s biological mother, Liza, is also living in the home. In this situation, because Molly is the legal guardian, she, both children and Liza are all in the ERDC filing group. Any income Liza has is counted toward the ERDC income. If Liza is not working, the ERDC case would be denied. This is because a parent is in the home and can care for their children. However, if the grandma, Molly, has court documentation or child welfare determination stating that Liza cannot be left home alone with her children, then the case can be reviewed for eligibility. Any income from Liza is counted.