Your local Department of Social Services (DSS) cannot restrict who lives with you. However, who you live with may affect the amount of benefits that you receive.

For example, if you are married and your partner lives with you, you both must apply for public assistance. If either of you has income, it will be counted against both of you. The same is true for parents and children under age 21.

In addition, if your partner lives with you and you have children together, you are both legally responsible for the children. This means that if your partner lives with you and you have children together, both your income and your partner’s income will be used to determine your benefits.

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Last Reviewed: May 12, 2017