A household may be one person living alone, a family, or several, unrelated individuals who live together and routinely purchase and prepare meals together. Certain family members or individuals who live together and do not routinely purchase and prepare meals together do not have to be included in the household. The following are considered as household members:
- those who spent at least one week in the house in the past 4 weeks,
- those who in the past 12 months stayed 3 or more months in the house,
- live-in caregiver,
- students staying away from home,
- members who have been living in the household 6 months or more,
- members who have been living in the household less than 6 months under the following categories only: household head, infants less than 6 months old, members who just joined the household because of marriage, members who just joined as live-in servants, or a new household.
The following are not considered as household members:
- deceased individuals,
- lodgers
- guests or visitors
The decision of whether or not an individual must be included in the household is based on the Department of Social Service policies.