This document provides guidelines for determining whose household members to include when applying for Medicaid. It states that the household includes the applicant, their spouse, children, and parent of child if applying for the child if they are a tax filer. If the applicant is a tax dependent and under 19, their parents and siblings living in the home are included. If not a tax filer or dependent, the applicant and their spouse and children are included. Certain people like unmarried partners not requesting coverage are excluded.

1. Medicaid Household Grid
These rules apply to all living situations including people who are homeless.
Tax Filer
Tax Dependent
(regardless of age) of a
parent or step-parent
Not a Tax Filer and Not a Tax Dependent
Include in the
household …
Applicant Applicant Applicant and the following, if living in the home:
• spouse
• children (biological, adopted, and step)
• parent of their child if applying for the child
All claimed
dependents
The person filing the taxes If applicant is under 19, include the following
people living in the home:
• parents (biological, adopted, and step); and
• siblings (biological, adopted, and step)
Spouse if living in
the home,
whether or not
filing jointly
The spouse of the tax filer
if living in the home
Names you
don’t have to
include
Anyone not on
the tax return
Anyone not on the tax
return
• unmarried partner not requesting coverage
• unmarried partner’s children
• if over 19, parents in the home who do NOT
claim you as dependent
• other adult relatives and unrelated persons
who file their own tax returns
Optional
Names to
include
•unmarried partner if there is a child in common; or
• any other child under age 19 that the applicant takes care of