(a) Individual budget. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) prepares an individual budget for a person in a noninstitutional setting if the person is:
  (1) single;
  (2) widowed;
  (3) divorced; or
  (4) married and is:
    (A) an applicant separated from his or her spouse at the time of application; or
    (B) a recipient separated from his or her spouse during the previous month.
(b) Couple budget. HHSC prepares a couple budget for a couple in a noninstitutional setting if:
  (1) the couple meets the definition of a couple in §358.431 of this division (relating to Definitions);
  (2) each spouse is an applicant or a recipient; and
  (3) both spouses are in the same coverage group.
(c) Companion budget. HHSC prepares a companion budget for a person in a noninstitutional setting who has an ineligible spouse if:
  (1) the couple meets the definition of a couple in §358.431 of this division; and
  (2) the person lives with the ineligible spouse during any part of a calendar month.

Source Note: The provisions of this §358.434 adopted to be effective September 1, 2009, 34 TexReg 5497