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Page | 100 7110 HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD

The SNAP head of household is the person in whose name application is made for participation in the program. Typically, it is the person who is the household's primary source of income.

The Benefits Specialist may designate the head of household or permit the household to do so. The Specialist should suggest persons serving as the TANF case head of household also be considered the head of household for the SNAP case. Do not impose additional requirements based on the classification of head of household, such as requiring that the head of household, rather than another responsible adult member of the household, appear at the certification office to make application for benefits. In the event that the head of household is unable to file the application, the spouse, another responsible household member, or an authorized representative may apply for the household.

7120 CHILDREN UNDER 18

A child under age 18 is considered under parental control of an adult household member if any adult household member is the child's legal guardian, managing conservator, or has legal custody of the child. The parental control test is not applied to a legally assigned foster child.

If none of these persons is a household member, consider the child under parental control of a member if: A. Verification from the child's parent, guardian or conservator outside the household shows that the child is under a member's control; or B. The household states that a member controls the child; or C. The child is dependent upon the adult member for financial support.

7200 HOUSEHOLD DETERMINATION

The following explains who is and who is not included in the household.

A. A household may be composed of any of the following individuals or groups of individuals:

1. An individual living alone. Also, a group of people who live together and customarily purchase food and prepare meals together for home consumption.

2. An individual or group of people, who, while living with others, customarily purchase food and prepare meals for home consumption separate from the others.

3. An individual or group of individuals who are blind or disabled residents of an authorized Community Support Provider facility and who meet the definition of disabled. 4. An individual and their children, residing for the purpose of regular participation in a drug or alcohol treatment program at a facility or treatment center authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

5. A resident(s) in a public or private non-profit residential facility that serves battered women and children. DSS considers persons temporarily living in shelters for battered women and children individual household units if they apply for and receive SNAP benefits. NOTE: The fact the minor child may or may not have a spouse or children does not change the financial dependency requirement.