Government assistance while having roommates??

Question

We'll be taking in a single mom of four kids from another state. She's coming from Colorado to Idaho, we fly down to get her on Friday. My question is if we want to sign her up for government assistance (food stamps, wic) even though she'll be renting out our basement for a very low price, would she still have to claim my husband's income as household income? We are not supporting her financially, but she will technically be living in our house. So how does it work with 'roommates' when you are on government assistance? I just don't want my husband's income to affect her chances of getting assistance, even though she would still qualify because we will have 10 people in our household!!! Also, we're still not sure if she'll be here for the long term, so would she have to get an Idaho driver's license right away in order to get the state assistance?

Answer 1

I think she may need proof of residency like a state ID/license or a lease or something. She should call the actual food stamp office and see exactly which documents she needs and if she needs to get the Idaho license right away or not. I'm not sure its the same everywhere, and different services probably require different info.

She would not be considered to be part of your family, but a renter living in your house. She doesn't have to put any of your familys income or information on her form (and she shouldn't). Just  how much rent she will be paying you, etc

This link is to food stamp website for Idaho

http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/po...

Answer 2

If you are not supporting her financially your income does not matter. A drivers license is not required. Food stamps are Federal assistance, administered by the State.

If she is renting your basement she is not a roomate but a boarder, what she pays in rent will be considered as expenses when she applies for aid.