Household

A group of people who live together as a family. Eligibility rules for benefits programs often vary depending on how many people live in your household.

The exact rules for who counts as a member of a household depend on the program. For most programs, your household includes the following people if they are living with you:

  • Yourself
  • Your spouse
  • Your children
  • Your spouse's children

If you are under 18, for most programs your household also includes the following people if they are living with you:

  • Your parents
  • Your stepparent if your other parent lives with you
  • Your siblings and stepsiblings

Many programs also consider these people part of your household if you over 18. And for some programs, other people living with you, such as grandparents, cousins, or others, may also be considered part of the household.