817 DETERMINING FOOD STAMP HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD (FSM)

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The household may designate a head of household at each application and recertification, or whenever there is a change in household composition. The designated member must be an adult parent of children (of any age) living in the household, or an adult who has parental control over children (under 18 years of age) living in the household. All adult household members must agree on the selection. The household may not change the designation during a certification period unless there is a change in the composition of the household. The household need not designate the primary wage earner (PWE) as head of household.

If the household does not designate a head of household or designates a non-parent, the head of household is the PWE.

For the purpose of determining failure to comply with work requirements, the PWE is the individual who meets all the conditions below:

• Age 16 or older;

• Works at least 20 hours per week or receives weekly earnings at least equivalent to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours, or to a lower training wage multiplied by 20 hours; and

• Earned the most income in the 2 months prior to the application or the 2 months prior to the month in which the violation occurred.

Who Cannot Be Head of Household: No household member of any age living with a parent or person fulfilling the role of a parent can be designated as head of household if that parent meets one of the conditions below:

• Is work registered;

• Is participating in the NHEP;

• has registered for work as part of the unemployment insurance benefits application process; or

• Is employed at least 30 hours per week, or employed or self-employed and receiving earnings equal to the federal minimum hourly wage multiplied by 30 hours.