Household

Food Stamps’ definition of a household is dependent on who purchases and prepares meals together, as well as the family relationship. 

A Single Household

A single household is defined as a single person or group of people who live together who purchase and prepare meals together, regardless of their relationship.   

Example: Two friends are living together, and indicate they purchase and prepare meals together, Food Stamps would consider them a single household, even though they are not related.  The household size would be 2, and the income from both friends would be included in determining eligibility and food stamp benefit amount.

Mandatory Food Stamp Households

The following households are considered a single household regardless of whether or not they purchase and prepare meals together:

• Spouses, including common-law spouses
• Parents (natural, adopted, or step) and children under 22, as well as their spouses and their children living in the same household
• Adults and children under 18 who are under the parental control of that adult who is not their parent or stepparent. Parental control means that the adult provides 50% or more of the minor child's support.