Single Parent
Definition
Only one parent/adult living with a child who is legally/financially responsible for and living with the child and where there is no other adult legally/financially responsible for the child in that eligible family. If there is another adult in the household who does not have legal/financial responsibility for the child, then the legally/financially responsible applicant is still considered a single parent. A one digit code indicates if the head of the family receiving assistance is single or not.
Data Standards
Missing
Always required
Out of Range
0 - 1, 9:
0 = No;
1 = Yes
9 = Not applicable; child is reported as head of household
Internal Inconsistency
If this Element is coded 9, then the following internal consistency must hold: Element #6 (Reason for Receiving Care) is equal to 4 (protective services) or 9 (protective services during a national emergency).
Field Size
1
Format (N)
Number
Guidance
Report the one digit code indicating the “single” status of the head of the family receiving assistance based on whether or not that head is the only person in the household legally/financially responsible for the care of the child, not their marital status.
Note that a zero is used for a specific reason; for “unknown/not reported” use a blank or space.