311.01 Relative's Ability to Contribute SR 02-10, 04/02 (AAM-A)

Follow the steps below to determine if a liable relative is able to contribute to the support of an applicant or recipient.

1. Determine the number of legal dependents the liable relative claims for IRS purposes.

- Do not include the individual, even if the individual lives with the relative.

2. Determine the liable relative’s gross annual income.

- If the liable relative is a child who is married, do not consider the income of the child’s spouse.

3. Before determining liability or the amount of the contribution, reduce the liable relative’s gross annual income with any of the following expenses. The District Office Supervisor must approve any of the expenses in writing:

- unreimbursed or unreimbursable medical costs;

- educational expenses;

- court-ordered support or alimony payments;

- repayments, including garnishments, or prior indebtedness;

- cost of doing business, for self-employed individuals; and

- any other exceptional expenses, including expenses associated with life threatening circumstances, which would affect health/safety or prevent homelessness.

Examples: Home repairs, back taxes, transportation for medical services; expenses associated with natural disasters such as floods, fires, earthquakes and hurricanes; and expenses due to man made occurrences such as theft of clothing, food, money, eviction and lost of an owned residence.

4. Use the table below to assess whether a relative has enough gross annual income to contribute to the individual.

5. Determine the amount the liable relative should contribute by comparing the liable relative’s gross annual income, less any approved expenses to the above table.

- If income is less than or equal to the table amount, no contribution is expected.

-  If income is greater than the table amount, the liable relative’s contribution is equal to at least 10% of that portion of income.