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Subject: SNAP Household Composition

Policy 24.04 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Effective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 5 C. Purchasing and Preparing Meals 1. To determine which individuals included in the living constellation will be considered to be HH members, the case will be evaluated to determine how meals are purchased and prepared. 2. Unless specific individuals are eligible for separate HH status, all persons who purchase and prepare their meals in common are treated as one HH. 3. When an individual(s) changes a pattern of living to establish a new pattern, either by choice or by force of circumstances, the intent to establish the new pattern has greater importance than the prior pattern. 4. An individual(s) may intend to function as a separate HH, but cannot do so unless the SNAP application is approved. Consider the individual(s) as a separate HH when such intent is expressed. 5. For unregulated or special HH circumstances refer to Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements D. Separate Household Status 1. Individuals who live together but purchase and prepare their meals separately may be eligible for separate HH status. 2. Persons eligible for separate HH status: a. Siblings (not under parental control) who live together and who purchase and prepare separately; b. Children twenty-two (22) and over who live with their parents and purchase and prepare separately; c. Individuals other than parents and siblings who share living quarters with a SNAP HH, but who do not purchase and prepare meals with that HH; d. A person who is disabled and unable to purchase their own food but who has arranged to have their food purchased and prepared separately from those with whom they live. Even if the person who shops for food or prepares meals for the disabled person lives with the disabled person, the disabled person may claim separate HH status; or e. An elderly and disabled individual (and spouse of that individual) living with others when: i. the elderly and disabled individual is unable to purchase and prepare his/her own meals with others; and ii. the combined gross income of the others with whom the elderly and disabled individual lives (not including the individual and spouse) does not exceed 165% of the poverty level iii. separate HH status can be granted to both the elderly and disabled individual (and spouse) or the other individual(s) with whom the elderly and disabled individual lives, if both of the criteria above are met.