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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 4 of 5 Supporting Documents Applying the 165% Gross Income Test Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements SNAP-Impact of the Defense of Marriage Act on SNAP Eligibility Child Residing in More Than One Household During the Same Month Policy 24.18 SNAP Deductions from Income Definitions/Acronyms Term Definition Department The Tennessee Department of Human Services Head of Household The head of household is the person who has been designated to appear on the SNAP application by the household or the State Department. HH Household Household A household is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. Living Constellation A group of individuals that live together. Parent-Child Relationship Kinship connections between mothers and/or fathers and their children resulting from the child(ren’s) birth or adoption or from the marriage of the child(ren’s) mother or father. Parental Control The authority exercised by a mother or father (or any adult household member acting as a parent) to guide, manage, supervise, and provide care to a minor dependent child who lives in the same home. Pattern of Living A particular way in which a HH is comprised or organized. Sibling An individual who shares a common parent with another individual. Sibling relationship may be either natural, legal, or by marriage (i.e. natural, adopted, half, or step brothers and sisters). SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Spouse Two people who are legally married. For couples in a same-sex marriage, spouses must be included in one SNAP household. Tennessee does not recognize common law marriage. Common law marriage is not the same as a couple "living together." In a common law marriage, the couple presents themselves to the community, friends, and neighbors as a married couple. Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual, July 2017, Chapter 2 Bulletin No. 31, FA-06-24