7502.1 The applicant unit shall be composed of each individual who lives in the same household and whose needs, assets, and income are combined to determine eligibility.

7502.2 The applicant unit shall include:

1. (a) Persons related by full or half blood;
2. (b) Persons related by legal adoption;
3. (c) Persons related by marriage, including stepchildren and unmarried parents of a common child who live together; or
4. (d) Persons with legal responsibility for an unrelated minor child, or an unrelated adult with a disability.

7502.3 A person temporarily away from home due to employment, hospitalization, vacation, or a visit shall be considered to be living in the household. A minor child who is away at school is considered to be living in the household if he or she returns to the home on occasional weekends, holidays and during the summer vacations.

7502.4 An applicant unit may be comprised of a single individual, if that individual meets one or more of the eligibility criteria in section 7503.1(b), as well as other eligibility criteria.

7502.5 Separate applicant units shall be established, but processed concurrently, if the requested payment is the joint legal responsibility of non-related household members. Assistance may be authorized only for the applicant unit's prorated share of the amount necessary to resolve the crisis.

7502.6 The name of a non-household member on a rental lease shall have no effect on eligibility, except that:

1. (a) The applicant shall document that he or she is responsible for the payment; and
2. (b) Both the applicant and the landlord shall agree to change the lease to reflect only the applicant's name.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 54 DCR 12622 (December 28, 2007).