See for a definition of a boarder.

Boarders are excluded from the household when determining the household's eligibility and benefit level. The household's income from the boarder includes all direct payments to the household. However, shelter expenses paid directly by the boarder to someone outside of the household are not counted as income. (Do not deduct these expenses as a shelter cost.)

Example 1 -A boarder pays $15.00 per month to the household in addition to his board payment as his portion of the heating bill. This payment of $15.00 is counted as income to the household.

Example 2 -A boarder pays the household's gas bill directly to the gas company. The value of this payment is not considered income to the household. The gas bill will not be considered a shelter cost for the household.