1622 Budgeting the Income of a Stepparent | TANF

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Budgeting the Income of a Stepparent

Effective Date:

May 2023

Chapter:

1600

Policy Number:

1622

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 52

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-72

Requirements

A responsibility budget is completed to determine the amount of income to deem from a stepparent to the assistance unit (AU).

Basic Considerations

The income of a stepparent is considered in determining the financial eligibility and benefit amount of the AU.

If the child lives with the stepparent and the biological parent is not in the home or if the biological parent in the home receives SSI, the stepparent may choose one of the following options:

elect to be excluded from the AU and have his/her income deemed through the budgeting process

OR
elect to be included as the caretaker relative and have his/her income budgeted in its entirety.

If the stepparent does not have sufficient income to meet his/her own needs, income may be allocated from a spouse in the AU.

Refer to Section 1635, Allocation to an Ineligible Spouse and/or Child.

When the stepparent and the biological parent have a mutual child, deprivation of the mutual child must be determined. If the mutual child is deprived, the stepparent and mutual child must be included in the AU. Stepparent budgeting does not apply. Refer to Section 1315, Deprivation.

Procedures

Follow the steps below to determine the amount of income of the stepparent to deem to the AU:

Step 1	Determine the gross countable earned income of the stepparent.
Step 2	Subtract the $250 standard work deduction from the gross countable earned income of the stepparent.
Step 3	Determine the gross countable unearned income of the stepparent.
Step 4	Add the income determined in Step 3 to the income remaining after Step 2.
Step 5	Determine the number of individuals living in the home with the stepparent who are or could be claimed as tax dependents. (Include the unborn child of a pregnant individual) Include in this number an SSI child or adult who is or could be claimed as a tax dependent. Do not include the income of these individuals. Do not include in this number penalized or disqualified individuals, or individuals included in a TANF AU.
Step 6	Add the stepparent to the number determined in Step 5.
Step 7	Subtract the appropriate standard of need (SON) for the number of individuals determined in Step 6 from the income determined in Step 4.
Step 8	Determine the amount of child support and/or alimony paid by the stepparent to individuals not living in the home and subtract this amount from the income remaining after Step 7.
Step 9	Determine the amount contributed by the stepparent to individuals not living in the home who are or could be claimed as federal tax dependents and subtract this amount from the income remaining in Step 8. Verify the amount of the contribution. Do not include child support or alimony already subtracted in Step 8.
Step 10	If a surplus exists in Step 9, deem the surplus as unearned income to the AU. If a deficit exists in Step 9, consider allocation to the stepparent if a parent in the AU has income. Refer to Section 1635, Allocation to an Ineligible Spouse and/or Child.