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Administrative Plan 7/1/2025 Page 7-24 <br />7-II.D. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS <br />Applicants and program participants are required to identify the relationship of each household <br />member to the head of household. Definitions of the primary household relationships are <br />provided in the Eligibility chapter. <br />SAHA Policy <br />Family relationships are verified only to the extent necessary to determine a family’s <br />eligibility and level of assistance. Certification by the head of household normally is <br />sufficient verification of family relationships. <br />Marriage <br />SAHA Policy <br />Certification by the head of household is normally sufficient verification. If SAHA has <br />reasonable doubts about a marital relationship, SAHA will require the family to <br />document the marriage. <br />A marriage certificate generally is required to verify that a couple is married. <br />In the case of a common law marriage, the couple must demonstrate that they hold <br />themselves to be married (e.g., by telling the community they are married, calling each <br />other husband and wife, using the same last name, filing joint income tax returns). <br />Separation or Divorce <br />SAHA Policy <br />Certification by the head of household is normally sufficient verification. If SAHA has <br />reasonable doubts about a separation or divorce, SAHA will require the family to provide <br />documentation of the divorce or separation. <br />A certified copy of a divorce decree, signed by a court officer, is required to document <br />that a couple is divorced. <br />A copy of a court-ordered maintenance or other court record is required to document a <br />separation. <br />If no court document is available, documentation from a community-based agency will <br />be accepted. <br />Absence of Adult Member <br />SAHA Policy <br />If an adult member who was formerly a member of the household is reported to be <br />permanently absent, the family must provide evidence to support that the person is no <br />longer a member of the family (e.g., documentation of another address at which the <br />person resides such as a lease or utility bill), if SAHA so requests. <br />Foster Children and Foster Adults <br />SAHA Policy <br />Third-party verification from the state or local government agency responsible for the <br />placement of the individual with the family is required. <br />EXHIBIT 1