TN 6 (08-06)

A. Policy - Claimant's Statement

Accept the claimant's statement on the support form as to the cost of room and board if it is realistic in the light of the other information obtained.

If the statement is not realistic, or using it defeats a finding of one-half support by a narrow margin, the actual cost of room and board must be computed.

B. Policy - Household Expenses

1. General

For the purpose of computing the value of room and board (when boarding house activities are not involved), household expenses include only the regular expenses for maintaining the household.

2. Regular Expenses

Include:

• Food

• Utilities

• Fuel

• Rent

• Taxes

• Water

• Insurance

• Mortgage payments

• Interest on the mortgage

• any similar expenditures recurring at annual or more frequent intervals.

3. Excluded Expenses

• Extraordinary expenditures for repairs

• Improvements

• Furniture

• Other household equipment

These items are excluded because they normally are not considered when fixing the amount to be paid where boarding house activities are not involved.

C. Procedure - Computing Cost of Room and Board

1. General

To compute cost of room and board:

• Find out all the household expenses, and

• Prorate that total equally among members of the household.

2. Claimant Lives with NH in the NH's House

If the claimant lives with the NH in the NH's house (or vice versa) and that house is paid for, determine and include the value of the shelter in the support computation.

3. Reasonable Estimate

• When a reasonable estimate cannot be secured and actual development of cost is impossible, use the following chart to assume the monthly values of room and board.

• If more than one person occupies a single room, divide the assumed value of the room by the number of people who occupy it. Add the assumed value of board to this figure. If one person occupies more than one room, multiply the assumed value by the number of rooms occupied.

*NOTE: Because of a calculation error, a higher Assumed Monthly Value for rooms was initially reported for 2003 and 2004. For claims filed after the publication of this transmittal, the adjusted figure shown here should be used.