New Baltimore, MI asked in Public Benefits for Michigan

Q: What is the definition of family in michigan?

If I live with my girlfriend and her kids do I count as part of the family? For section 8 housing HUD calculations...I take care of her kids while she works but my landlord says I have to do community service if I am not working (which I can't as I take care of homeschooled children all day). According to the law I looked up, if I am a member of a family receiving foodstamps (which she does) then I am exempt from this community service requirement.

So, do I count as a member of the family given we live together and share bills and food?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer

A: What defines a family varies. A common definition - the one I suspect may apply in your case - is that "family" has blood or legal ties to each other. You have neither.

The reason being is that the state sees your situation as having it both ways: by virtue of you living together, you're sharing in the cash assistance premised on your girlfriend's income. And because you're not married, the state can't look into your income to see if your girlfriend qualifies for continued aid. A lot of people don't marry for just that reason, and the state knows that.

Michigan does not have common law marriage, meaning that you do not become family by simply living together and sharing expenses. So until you legally marry, you will likely not be considered family.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.