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Shared Living Expenses Deduction
Definition [63-502.37]
Shared living expenses include allowable shelter expenses that the CalFresh eligible household member(s) shares with:
- Excluded member(s)
- Another separate household which may or may not be participating in CalFresh.
Proration Method Steps
When SEPARATE households and excluded household member(s) living in the residence share living expenses, there are TWO steps required in the proration:
- Determine each separate household’s share of the shelter and utility costs (Refer to Separate Households) and
- Determine the amount allowable to the CalFresh eligible household members. (Refer to Shelter Proration - Within CalFresh HH) for the steps in this determination.
Separate Households
Separate Household Status Determination
To determine the number of HH living in the residence, the HH composition rules apply (i.e. blood/marriage and customarily purchase and prepare food together). Refer to HH Decision for an overview chart.
A determination must be made for any individual residing in the home who is, an ineligible student, ABAWD or non-citizen, IPV or work disqualified to determine if he/she would be an otherwise eligible member of the CalFresh HH per HH composition rules.
If he/she would be a mandatory CalFresh HH member, then the individual is considered an EXCLUDED member of the CalFresh household (i.e. within the CalFresh HH).
If he/she would NOT be a mandatory CalFresh HH member, then the individual is considered a separate household.
CalWORKs mom and her IPV husband. The husband would be a member of the CalFresh household if he were not IPV. Therefore, she is an excluded member of the CalFresh HH (within the CalFresh HH) and NOT a separate household.
CalWORKs mom with 2 children on CalWORKs. Her 19-year old son works part-time (15 hours per week) and is a full-time college student. He states he buys and prepares food separately. He pays $150 for rent and utilities monthly.
Per regulations, children under age 22 cannot be granted separate CalFresh household status. If the 19-year old were not an ineligible student, he would be a mandatory member of the CalFresh HH even though he purchases and prepares food separately. Therefore, he is an excluded member of the CalFresh HH (within the CalFresh HH) and NOT a separate household.
A mom and her 2 children are on CalWORKs. Her 19-year old brother moves into the apartment and sleeps on the couch. He works part-time (15 hours per week) and is a full-time college student. He states he buys and prepares food separately. He pays $150 for rent & utilities monthly.
Per regulations, since he buys and prepares food separately and is not required to be included in his sister’s CalFresh HH (under blood/marriage rules), he is a SEPARATE household. The fact that he is an ineligible student is irrelevant.
Shelter and Utility Deductions - Separate Households
Allowable Shelter Expense
When two or more SEPARATE households share a residence:
- Allow the actual shelter amount paid by the CalFresh HH as its deduction.
Exception: If the actual shelter cost CAN NOT be differentiated (i.e. pooled income), the shelter expense is prorated. Divide the total shelter expense by the number of HHs contributing to the expense.
Allowable Utility Expenses
When a CalFresh household lives with and shares shelter and/or utility expenses with another separate household (which may or may not be participating in CalFresh), each household will be allowed the full SUA.
Note: SUA is NEVER prorated. The eligible CalFresh HH members are entitled to the FULL SUA.
Related Topics
Overview - Shared Living Situations