C SSI-MAO and MSP Budget Groups

Revised 07/10/2020

Policy

The people who must be included in the budget group depend on several things, including age, marital status, and who lives with the customer.

SSI-MAO and MSP Budget Group Chart

If the applicant is…	Then the Budget Group includes…
An unmarried child under age 18	The child, and any of the following who live with the child: Ineligible parents; Other children of an ineligible parent; and The child’s children. Exception: The stepparent is not included when the natural or adoptive parent is not in the home.
Unmarried and age 18 or older	The person.
Married	The person, and when living together, the person’s spouse.

Definitions

Term	Definition
Child	A person who: Is not married (including divorced); and Is under age 18; or For child allocation deductions only, is under age 22 and is a student regularly attending a school, college or university, or a course of vocational or technical training to prepare for gainful employment.
Common Law Marriage	A marriage that is not based upon a license, ceremony, or other legal formality. Most states that recognize common law marriage require that the couple consider themselves married, live together, and publicly present themselves as spouses. Common law marriages cannot be established in Arizona. However, a common law marriage established in a state where the marriage is considered legal, can be considered legal in Arizona. Exceptions: Some American Indian tribes recognize common law marriages. A common law marriage established under American Indian tribal law is considered legal in Arizona. If a resident of Arizona moves to another state or country to evade the laws of Arizona relating to marriage, the marriage is no longer legal in Arizona.
Eligible Parent	A natural or adoptive parent or stepparent who is receiving SSI-Cash benefits, ALTCS, Freedom to Work, MSP or SSI-MAO.
Holding Out As Married	A couple who live in the same household and who are not legally married under Arizona law but hold themselves out to the public as being married.
Ineligible Parent	A natural or adoptive parent, or stepparent who is NOT receiving SSI-Cash benefits, ALTCS, Freedom to Work, MSP or SSI-MAO.
Legally Married	A legal union that meets one of the following: Performed by a person authorized by law (licensed or ordained clergyman, judges or justices of the peace), and a marriage license was issued; or A common law marriage recognized as legal in Arizona.
Married	Means any of the following: Legally married; Married under common law; or “Holding out as married” (a couple presenting themselves to the public as spouses).

Proof

Proof of Income

A person will be asked to provide proof of income for everyone in the budget group as needed. See MA605 for more details on proof of income.

NOTE Sometimes proof of income for people who are not in the budget group may be needed to see if the customer can get an income deduction (MA609).

Proof of Marriage

A person’s statement of marital status is accepted unless there is evidence to the contrary.

Proof of Parent/Child Relationship

A person’s statement is accepted unless there is evidence to the contrary. A person’s statement includes a completed application listing a relationship of parent or child.

When there is conflicting information or the relationship is questionable, the person is asked for other proof of relationship. Some items that show proof of relationship between a parent and child are:

The child’s birth certificate or other birth record;
Court records; and
Religious records.

Legal Authorities

Program	Legal Authorities
SSI MAO	AAC R9-22-1503
Medicare Savings Program	AAC R9-29-212