When it is clear that a family member is not living at home but is now living with his/her military unit, do not consider the individual a part of the food stamp household.  However, any portion of his/her paycheck made available to the family is counted as unearned income to the household.  Similarly, any of the absent family member's resources to which the household has access is counted as a resource.

Families may resort to unusual living arrangements to cope with financial and emotional stresses caused by the call-up and deployment.  Each case will need to be looked at individually to determine whether a household is sharing living quarters or if one household is a roomer.  Households that share expenses, such as paying rent separately or together to a landlord outside of the home and splitting utilities, are entitled to a prorated share of the shelter expenses.  Allow each household's portion of the rent and a prorated amount of the appropriate utility standard.

Staff may find it helpful to review the following sections of the Food Stamp Manual:

• 1105.015.00  Household Determination
• 1105.015.05.15 Roomers and Boarders
• 1110.015.00  Jointly-Owned Resources
• 1115.010.00  Unearned Income
• 1115.035.25.05 Allowable Shelter Costs 
• 1115.035.25.25 Households Sharing Utilities.

• Discuss this memorandum with all appropriate staff.

• Continue following existing policy regarding household composition, income and resources, and shared shelter expenses.

• Review the appropriate sections of the Food Stamp Manual if necessary.