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DE TANF - Step-Parent Income and Resources

This topic provides information about how the Division of Social Services (DSS) treats the income and resources of step-parents when determining financial eligibility and benefit levels for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Resources

The resources of a step-parent are not considered in determining the financial eligibility of the Assistance Unit. Resources held jointly by the step-parent and the step-parent's spouse are considered available in their entirety to both partners. If the spouse is a member of the Assistance Unit, these resources are considered in determining the unit's eligibility.

Income

In the TANF Program, step-parents who reside with their step children and the natural parent of the step-children are considered responsible for supporting those children. A portion of the step-parent's income is counted as unearned income to determine the step-children's income eligibility and the amount of assistance the children receive.

To determine the amount of the step-parent's income that is deemed to the TANF Assistance Unit, follow the steps listed below:

NOTE: The TANF Assistance Unit must include the step-child, the step-child's natural or adoptive parent, and siblings who are also living in the home and who are otherwise eligible.

1. Determine the step-parent's gross income.

2. Deduct $90.00 from earned income.

3. Deduct the TANF Standard of Need for the family size that includes the step-parent and those individuals who:

·     Live in the step-parent's home; and

·     Are the step-parent's dependents for income tax purposes; and

·     Are not members of the TANF Assistance Unit.

NOTE: These individuals cannot include any who have been removed from the TANF Assistance Unit because they failed without good cause to cooperate with Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) or the Employment and Training Program and are being sanctioned.

4. Deduct amounts paid by the step-parent to individuals who are not living in the home, but who are claimed as dependents for income tax purposes.

5. Deduct child support or alimony payments made to individuals not living in the home.

The remainder is counted as unearned income in determining the Assistance Unit's financial eligibility and grant amount.

Summary

Total Earned Income and Unearned Income

 - $90.00 of Earned Income, if any  

 - Standard of Need

 - Payments to dependents not living in home  

 = Income counted as the Assistance Unit's unearned income  

Step-parent budgeting is only used to determine the financial eligibility or benefit level of a step-child when the step-child's natural parent resides in the home. Step-parent income is not used to determine financial eligibility or benefit levels when the step-child’s natural parent does not reside in the home.

NOTE: If the step-parent is included as a member of the TANF Assistance Unit, his/her income is counted in accordance with income-eligibility rules governing the income of TANF applicants and recipients.

See also:

DE TANF - Income Eligibility

DE TANF - Resource Eligibility

DE GA - Financial Eligibility

DE DSS - Application Procedures

DE DSS - Change Reporting Requirements

DE DSS - Contact Information

Source:

DSS Policy Manual (Sect. 4005.3)

Back to:

DE TANF - Financial Eligibility

DE TANF Overview

DE Division of Social Services - Overview

DE Benefit Information System Overview

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