Living Arrangements

A person’s living arrangement determines which CAPI payment standard is selected to calculate the individual’s benefit amount. Living arrangements are always determined as of the FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH and that determination is the basis for the payment standard used for that entire month, subject to the throughout-a-month rule for institutions or reduced needs living arrangements.

The living arrangements for CAPI described in this chapter are determined in the same manner as they are for SSI/SSP. They are reflected in the CAPI Payment Standards chart.

The three living arrangements applicable for CAPI purposes are:

The “Statement of Household Expenses and Contributions” form (SOC 453) helps Eligibility Workers (EWs) determine the appropriate living arrangement category for the client(s) and if applicable, the amount of in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) that should be charged. CAPI clients are required to complete the SOC 453 at application and redetermination. Each spouse of a CAPI couple fills out their own SOC 453. EWs must complete the “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY” section of the SOC 453 as appropriate.

The “CAPI Sequential Development of Living Arrangements” flow chart and the table below are additional resources for EWs to determine the correct payment standard based on the client’s living arrangement.

Other Household Member(s) Pays for	CAPI Payment Standard
All of the claimant's food and shelter.	HOA/Reduced Needs
Some of the claimant's food and shelter; or Some of the claimant's shelter and all the claimant's food; or Some of the claimant's food and all the claimant's shelter. And claimant pays less than pro rata share.	HOA/Reduced Needs
Some of the claimant's food and shelter. But claimant pays pro rata share or more.	Independent Living (no inside ISM*)
All of claimant's shelter, but no food.	Independent Living (ISM applies**)
All of claimant's food, but no shelter.	Independent Living
Some of claimant's food, but no shelter.	Independent Living
Some of claimant's shelter, but no food.	Independent Living (ISM applies**)
Neither food nor shelter for claimant (claimant has established a separate household within the same residence).	Independent Living (no inside ISM*)

* Determine if outside ISM may apply.

**Determine if ISM is inside only or both inside and outside.

Important: When making eligibility and living arrangement determinations, the EW must consider all evidence available (i.e. rental agreements, receipts, affidavits of support/non-support, etc.), rather than solely relying on information provided on SOC 453.

Reminder: Food expenses are not used in calculating ISM, only shelter expenses.

Definitions

Household

Household means a personal place of residence in which the individual(s) share common living quarters and function as a single economic unit. They need not be related by blood or marriage. (MPP §49-005(h)(1)).

Non-public Assistance Household

A non-public assistance household is one in which no household members receive public income maintenance payments of any type.

Note: A household is considered a “public assistance household” when at least one household member receives some type of public assistance. [Refer to Definitions topic "Public Assistance Household"].

Earmarking

Is a form of sharing of household expenses that applies when a CAPI individual monthly contribution is totally or partially designated to pay for shelter and/or food, and the CAPI individual’s pro rata share for food and/or shelter is satisfied from the earmarked item.

Pro Rata Share

Is the portion of a household’s total expenses that is attributable to the CAPI applicant/recipient. It is calculated using the “CAPI Statement of Household Expenses and Contributions” (SOC 453) by dividing the total monthly household expenses by the total number of people in the household (including adults and children, regardless of age).

ExampleExample

Mr. Estrada resides with two other people. The total household expenses including food, shelter and clothing are $900. The total expenses of $900 ÷ 3 = $300. The pro rata share is $300, and the applicant or recipient must pay at least $300 towards expenses.

Pro rata share does not apply to individuals who:

Pay all household expenses in full each month
Are fully supported (i.e., individuals who pay nothing toward their support).
Reside alone or with a spouse and/or minor children only.

Note: The living arrangements MUST be verified. If the landlord refuses to indicate the amount of rent being paid, the EW must assume the applicant/recipient is NOT paying his/her pro rata share.

In-kind Support Maintenance

ISM is a type of unearned income, defined by the MPP §49-035.51 as “shelter that an applicant receives because someone else pays for or provides it.” Shelter includes rent, mortgage payments, taxes, heating fuel, garbage collection and utilities. Refer to In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) for more information.

Presumed maximum value (PMV)

PMV is the maximum amount that can be attributed to ISM received by a CAPI applicant or recipient for purposes of determining countable income. The value of the PMV is equal to one-third of the federal SSI benefit plus $20.