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305.4 TANF MANUAL 1/16 Page 42

c. Calculating the Deemed Amount - Federal regulations provide the following procedure for determining the amount of income to be deemed available to the TANF assistance unit from the senior parent(s) or an ineligible alien parent,* or a stepparent when the parent is not residing in the home because of military duty, employment or other reason, but the stepparent and parent are married and consider themselves to be living as husband and wife.

The amount to be deemed available is computed by subtracting the following from the verified anticipated gross monthly earned income (use net profit for earnings from self- employment) or gross unearned income of the senior parent(s), ineligible alien parent, or stepparent:

1. The first $90 of gross earned income of each employed person (the deeming disregard)

2. The standard of assistance for household members claimed or who could be claimed as dependents on the senior parent's, stepparent's, or ineligible alien parent's federal income tax return, excluding members of the assistance unit.

If the senior parent, stepparent, or ineligible alien parent has not previously filed a return or states that he will claim a different number of dependents for the current year, use the number of dependents he intends to claim for the current year.

Verify by statement from the senior parent, stepparent, or ineligible alien parent.

Exceptions: The needs of an individual(s) who is not in the assistance unit due to an IPV penalty, failure to comply with SSN requirements, failure to comply with the declaration of citizenship/alienage status requirement, or failure to cooperate with DCSE will not be counted in determining the number of dependents.

3. Support, including wage assignments paid to individuals not living in the home who are claimed or could be claimed as dependents on the senior parent's, stepparent's, or ineligible alien parent's federal income tax return.

If the senior parent, stepparent, or ineligible alien parent has not previously filed a return or states that he will claim a different number of dependents for the current year, use the number of dependents he intends to claim for the current year.

*45 CFR 233.20(a)(3)(vii)

TANF Transmittal 58