Effective Dates: 12/12/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 9 (12-23)

RS 01301.200 One-Half Support — Spouse or Surviving Spouse Cases - Spouses Living Together

A. Policy - general

When both members of a couple are living together, assume they share equally, in terms of support, in all income received into the household regardless of their individual incomes.

B. Policy - outside income

1. Assumption

In determining the individual incomes of each member of a couple when they live together, assume in the absence of evidence to the contrary (e.g., long term incapacity of a spouse) that they have an equal share in all outside income.

2. Examples

Outside income (as used here) includes:

  • •

    Income from jointly - owned property

  • •

    Income from roomers and/or boarders

  • •

    Withdrawals from joint savings accounts

  • •

    Contributions from third parties

  • •

    Member of the military dependents' allowance

3. Non-examples

It does not include income received through their individual efforts, such as income from services, pensions, royalties, income from individually-owned property, etc.

C. Procedure

Unless there is evidence to the contrary, compute the support of the spouse as follows:

Step Action
1 Ascertain the total individual income of each member of a couple from all sources,
2 Exclude from this total amounts not used for the support of either, e.g., extraordinary expenses, and
3 Divide balance equally between each member of a couple.
​ The pro rata share resulting from Step 3 is the support received by the claimant spouse. If the claimant's income is one-half or less than this amount, the claimant received one-half support from the NH.

D. Reference

RS 01301.020 - Considering the Period in Determining Support for Stepchildren

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0301301200
RS 01301.200 - One-Half Support — Spouse or Surviving Spouse Cases - Spouses Living Together - 12/12/2023
Batch run: 12/12/2023
Rev:12/12/2023