1624 Budgeting the Income of the Parent(s) of a Minor Head of Household | TANF

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Budgeting the Income of the Parent(s) of a Minor Head of Household

Effective Date:

May 2023

Chapter:

1600

Policy Number:

1624

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 the parent(s) of a minor head of household to the assistance unit (AU).

Basic Considerations

A minor head of household (minor parent or pregnant minor), even if married, divorced, or widowed, who lives with his or her parent remains the financial responsibility of his or her parent.

The income of a parent of a minor head of household is considered in determining the financial eligibility and benefit amount of the AU.

The income of a stepparent of a minor head of household is not considered in the budgeting process.

When a minor is not included in the AU with his or her child for any reason, the income of the minor’s parent is not considered in determining eligibility for the minor’s child.

Refer to Section 1365, Living Arrangements of a Minor Head of Household, for more information on the eligibility of minor head of households.

Procedures

Budgeting Procedures

Follow the steps below to determine the amount of income of the minor head of household’s parent to deem to the AU:

Step 1

Determine the gross countable earned income of the parent of the minor head of household.

Step 2

Subtract the $250 standard work deduction from the gross countable earned income of the parent of the minor head of household.

Step 3

Determine the gross countable unearned income of the parent of the minor head of household.

Step 4

Add the income determined in Step 3 to the income remaining in Step 2.

Step 5

Determine the number of individuals living in the home with the parent of the minor head of household who are or could be claimed as tax dependents. (Include an 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 parent of the minor head of household 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 contributed by the parent of the minor head of household to individuals not living in the home and subtract this amount from the income remaining after Step 7.

The child support and/or alimony does not have to be court-ordered but must be verified.

Step 9

Determine the amount contributed by the parent of the minor head of household to individuals not living in the home who are or could be claimed as tax dependents and subtract this amount from the income remaining after 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, do not deem any income to the AU.