Food Stamp Household: The eligible group for food stamp purposes is the
food stamp household, which is based solely on food units (a food unit is the
number of individuals residing together and customarily purchasing food and preparing a majority of their meals together to eat at home).
All members of a given food unit must apply; one member cannot apply without the other members applying if the members state they eat together or if regulations require them to be in the same food unit.
MANDATED HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS
- Spouses who live together must be in the same FS household.
- Children under 22 living with their parent(s) must be in the same FS household with the parent(s).
- Minors less than 18 living with an adult who provides parental control must be in the same FS household as that adult. ("Parental Control" only applies in situations where the adult is not the parent or stepparent of the minor he/she is living with.)
- Foster children can be in the household or not, depending on which choice yields the greater FS benefit for the household.
- Foster children cannot receive FS separately from the adult(s) they live with.
BOARDERS
People who pay others a fair market value for their prepared meals are generally not eligible for FS. To be considered boarders (and not part of the rest of the household):
- People who purchase 3 meals/day must pay an amount equal to at least the maximum monthly FS benefit.
- People who purchase 1 or 2 meals/day must pay an amount equal to at least two-thirds of the maximum monthly FS benefit.
People who receive Meals on Wheels can get FS.
Residents of senior housing who purchase group meals in the dining hall can get FS.
Residents of institutions (e.g., prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, other health care facilities, college dormitories with meal plans) are not eligible.
Residents of certified group homes, congregate care residences and drug/alcohol treatment facilities can get FS.
