1628 Budgeting the Income of the Spouse of a Nonparent Caretaker | TANF

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Budgeting the Income of the Spouse of a Nonparent Caretaker

Effective Date:

May 2023

Chapter:

1600

Policy Number:

1628

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 spouse of a nonparent caretaker to the assistance unit (AU).

Basic Considerations

When a nonparent caretaker relative is included in the AU, the income of his/her spouse is considered in determining the financial eligibility and benefit amount of the AU.

If the spouse of the nonparent caretaker does not have sufficient income to meet his/her own needs, income may be allocated from the nonparent caretaker to his/her spouse.

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

If the income deemed from the spouse, alone or in combination with the AU’s other income, results in ineligibility, the nonparent caretaker is excluded from the AU.

If the income deemed from the spouse, alone or in combination with the AU’s other income, results in a benefit amount less than the amount without the nonparent caretaker, the nonparent caretaker must be given the option of being included in or excluded from the AU.

Procedures

Follow the steps below to determine the amount of income to deem from the spouse of a nonparent caretaker to the AU:

Step 1

Determine the gross countable earned income of the spouse of the nonparent caretaker.

Step 2

Subtract the $250 standard work deduction from the gross countable earned income of the spouse of the nonparent caretaker.

Step 3

Determine the gross countable unearned income of the spouse of the nonparent caretaker.

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 spouse of the nonparent caretaker 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 spouse of the nonparent caretaker 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 spouse of the nonparent caretaker 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 spouse of the nonparent caretaker to individuals outside the home who are or could be claimed as 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 the nonparent caretaker chooses to be included in the AU.

If a deficit exists in Step 9, consider allocation to the spouse if the nonparent caretaker has income.

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