PM 04-05-06: Non-SNAP Household Members

WAG 04-05-06.

A non-SNAP household member is a person who lives with the SNAP household but is not included in the SNAP household. A non-SNAP household member's income and revised manual textresources do not affect the eligibility of the SNAP household they live with.

Non-SNAP household members include but are not limited to:

  • revised manual textA roomer, a person that lives with a household and pays for their own lodging, but not their meals. A roomer may apply for their own separate SNAP benefits. In IES, on the Household Individual - Questions Screen, the question, "Does anyone in your household pay room or board?" must be answered (YES), if the person meets the definition of a roomer.
  • revised manual textA boarder, a person that pays a reasonable monthly compensation for lodging and meals. See PM 05-02-01 for what is a reasonable compensation. A boarder cannot apply for SNAP separately from the household providing the boarder services. If a boarder is not paying a reasonable amount, the person must be included in the SNAP household. In IES, on the Household Individual - Questions Screen, the question, "Does anyone in your household pay room or board?" must be answered (YES), if the person meets the definition of a boarder.
  • revised manual textA live-in-attendant, a person that lives with the SNAP household to provide medical, housekeeping,  childcare, or other similar personal services. A live-in attendant cannot be included in the same SNAP household that it provides services to but may apply for their own separate SNAP benefits.
  • A student of higher education who does not meet the criteria (see PM 03-04-03-b).
  • new manual textFoster care children and adults, are considered boarders and cannot receive SNAP separately from the household providing the foster care. Although considered boarders, the policy differs in how foster care children and adults are considered in the eligibility determination for SNAP. Boarder policy in PM 05-02-01 and determining reasonable compensation for lodging and meals does not apply to foster children and adults. The household providing the foster care may, if receiving SNAP, request to include or exclude a person who is in foster care. 
  • A separate household member, a person who shares living space with the SNAP household but who is not in the SNAP household because they do not usually buy and prepare their food together.