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E-8610 Excess Contributions Towards Household Expenses
Revision 26-3; Effective Sept. 1, 2026
If an ineligible parent's contribution towards household expenses exceeds their pro rata share, then allocate the excess amount equally as a contribution among the parent's children and eligible spouse, if any. Refer to these household members as the deeming unit.
E-8620 Child Living with Parents and Siblings Only
Revision 26-3; Effective Sept. 1, 2026
If an eligible child lives only with their parent(s) and minor siblings, no S/M is developed for that child.
Example: John Voss, 14 years, is applying for ME-SSI Prior. He lives with his parents and two younger siblings in a home owned by his parents. John does not personally contribute toward household expenses. There is no S/M because John lives with his parents and minor siblings.
E-8630 Child Living in Own Household with Parents and Another Adult
Revision 26-3; Effective Sept. 1, 2026
An eligible child may receive ISM subject to the PMV rule only if:
- the child lives with their parent(s) and another adult in the parent(s)’ household;
- the household is not a public assistance (PA) household; and
- the child does not contribute their pro rata share of shelter expenses.
Reminder: Food is no longer considered ISM. Any ISM received by the parent(s) or ineligible children is not counted in the eligibility determination when deeming. Excess shelter contributions by a parent are divided equally among all members of the deeming unit.
Example 1: One Parent Contributes; One Does Not
A 14-year-old child is applying for ME-SSI Prior. He lives with both parents and two minor siblings in a home owned by the parents. His aunt also lives in the home. The child does not contribute toward household expenses. Count PMV as S/M. If they are income-eligible, no further development is required. If applying the PMV results in ineligibility, give them an opportunity to rebut and show that the actual value is less. General household expenses total $1,200 or $200 pro rata share. Parent one contributes $500 toward household expenses. Parent two does not contribute. The applicant’s aunt pays $700. The one parent’s excess contribution is $300 or $500 contribution – $200 pro rata share = $300 excess contribution. The $300 is divided equally among the applicant and his two siblings. Thus, $300 divided by 3 = $100 applicant’s contribution. The actual value of S/M received is $100 or $200 pro rata share – $100 applicant’s contribution = $100 actual value of S/M, which is less than the PMV.
Example 2: Both Parents Contribute
The situation is the same as above, except that both parents contribute toward shelter expenses. Parent one pays $200 and parent two pays $300. Count PMV as S/M. If the applicant is income-eligible, no further development is required. If counting 1/3 federal benefit rate (FBR) + $20 results in ineligibility, give the applicant an opportunity to rebut and show that the actual value is less. The one parent does not have an excess contribution or $200 contribution – $200 pro rata share = $0 excess contribution. The other parent’s excess contribution is $100 or $300 contribution – $200 pro rata share = $100 excess contribution. The $100 is divided equally as a contribution among the parents' children in the household. Thus, the applicant’s contribution is $33.33 or $100 excess contribution divided by three children = $33.33. The actual value of S/M received by the applicant is $166.67 or $200 pro-rata share – $33.33. The applicant’s contribution = $166.67, which is less than the PMV.
Example 3: Both Parents Contribute Equally
This is the same situation, except that each parent contributes $275 or $550 total, and the aunt contributes $650. Count PMV as S/M. If the applicant is income-eligible, no further development is required. If counting PMV results in ineligibility, give the applicant an opportunity to rebut and show that the actual value is less. The excess contribution for each of the applicant’s parents is $75, which is $275 parent's contribution – $200 pro rata share = $75 excess contribution. The total excess contribution for both parents is $150 or $75 x 2 = $150. The $150 is divided equally as a contribution among all three children. Thus, the applicant’s contribution is $50 which is $150 divided by 3 = $50. The actual value of S/M received by the applicant is $150 or $200 pro rata share – $50 applicant’s contribution = $150, which is less than PMV.
Example 4: One Parent Is an SSI Recipient
This is the same situation, except that one parent is an SSI recipient and contributes nothing. The other parent contributes $500. Because one parent receives SSI, this is a public assistance (PA) household. Do not develop in-kind support and maintenance. Do not count support and maintenance. Do not deem the income of the parent receiving SSI.
Related Policy
When Deeming Procedures Are Not Used, E-7200
E-8640 Child Living with Parents in Household of Another Person
Revision 26-3; Effective Sept. 1, 2026
Count 1/3 federal benefit rate (FBR) as in-kind support and maintenance (ISM)when:
- an eligible child lives with their parent(s) in someone else's household; and
- the child does not contribute their pro rata share of household expenses.
ISM received by the parent(s) or ineligible children is not counted. If a parent contributes more than their own share of shelter costs, the excess is divided equally among the parent’s children and eligible spouse, if any. This is known as the deeming unit.
Example: Rachel Brown is 14 and applying for ME-SSI Prior. She lives with her mother and aunt in the aunt's household. General household expenses total $420 or $140 pro rata share. Rachel has no income, but her mother contributes $200 toward household expenses. The mother's excess contribution is $60 which is $140 pro rata share - $200 mother's contribution = - $60 mother's excess contribution. The full $60 excess is attributed to Rachel because she is the only person in the deeming unit. Since Rachel's contribution of $60 does not equal her pro rata share ($140) of household expenses, count PMV as S/M. No rebuttal is offered.
If an eligible child lives with their parent(s) in someone else's household and the child contributes their pro rata share of shelter costs, count PMV as S/M. If the child is income-eligible, no further development is required. If counting PMV results in ineligibility, give the person an opportunity to rebut and show that the actual value is less. Any excess contribution by a parent is divided equally as a contribution among the deeming unit.
Example: Sonia Barrett is 14 and applying for ME-SSI Prior. She lives with her parents and her aunt in the aunt's household. Household shelter costs total $500 or $125 pro rata share. Each of Sonia's parents contributes $150 ($300 total) toward shelter costs. Sonia has no income. Count PMV as S/M. If she is income-eligible, no further development is required. If counting PMV results in ineligibility, give the person an opportunity to rebut and show that the actual value is less. The excess contribution for each parent is $25 or $150 parent’s contribution-$125 pro rata share for shelter = $25. The total excess contribution for both parents is $50 or $25 per parent x 2 parents = $50. The $50 is divided equally among all the parents' children in the home. Sonia is the only child so her contribution is $50. The actual value of S/M received by Sonia is $75 or $125 pro rata share for shelter -$50 Sonia’s contribution = $75, which is less than PMV.