The CAO must look at the actual monthly earned and unearned income of each member of the Healthy Horizons family. 55 Pa. Code § 140.232
The CAO must determine the excluded and countable gross income as follows:
For the Healthy Horizons applicant or recipient and his or her spouse who meet the elderly or disabled requirements for MA, determine countable income using the requirements in this chapter.
For a child or stepchild of the Healthy Horizons applicant or recipient, and for a spouse who is not elderly or disabled, determine countable income using the TANF-related or GA-related requirements in Chapter 350, Income. Use the TANF-related income exclusions instead of the SSI-related income exclusions in Chapter 350. However, when determining eligibility for Healthy Horizons, use SSI-related deductions, not TANF-related deductions.
NOTE: If the Healthy Horizons applicant or recipient chooses to include the natural or adopted child or stepchild, or the child under age 21, who he or she is exercising care and control of, in the Healthy Horizons Family computation, the child’s income is also counted, including TANF, GA, SBP or SSI income.
The Healthy Horizons applicant or recipient must apply for or obtain any potential source of income that is available. Without good cause, an applicant or recipient who fails to cooperate in an effort to establish eligibility for potential benefits is ineligible for MA until he or she complies. 55 Pa. Code § 181.1(d)
Potential benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:
Retirement benefits.
Unemployment compensation.
Workers compensation.
Disability benefits.
Veteran’s Affairs (VA) benefits.
NOTE: The CAO must not require an individual to apply for an increase in nonservice-connected VA benefits available under the Veterans Pension Act of 1959.
Pensions and annuities.
NOTE: Support payments are not considered a potential benefit.
The CAO must count payments received in return for services as earned income. The CAO must determine the total amount of gross earned income before any deductions such as taxes, individual expenses, and dependent care are taken.
The CAO must count the following as earned income: 55 Pa. Code § 140.251
Wages (including tips).
Salaries.
Commissions and bonuses.
Earnings from a sheltered workshop or work activities center. 55 Pa. Code § 140.253
NOTE: A payment is counted when it is received or is set aside for the individual’s use.
Earnings from therapeutic activities.
Profit from self-employment (See Chapter 352, Self-Employment.) 55 Pa. Code § 140.252
Nonrecurring lump sum payments of earned income, such as delayed wages (See Chapter 357, Lump Sum.) 55 Pa. Code § 140.291
NOTE: In the initial month an individual receives a lump sum payment, the CAO will count it as a resource, unless it would help the individual more to count it as income. If counted as income, any balance remaining after the initial month must be counted as a resource.
Royalties earned in connection with a publication or honorarial fees for services provided.
NOTE: Royalties received before December 1, 1991, are counted as unearned income.
The CAO must receive proof of all earned income and record all earned income in the case record.
The CAO must look at the total amount of gross unearned income when determining eligibility for MA. If money is taken out of an individual’s unearned income as a deduction to pay for insurance premiums, court-ordered support, recovery of an earlier overpayment, etc., the CAO must count the amount of the benefit before it is reduced by the deductions. 55 Pa. Code § 140.232 55 Pa. Code § 140.261
Exception: When an individual receives reduced unearned income to recover an overpayment, the CAO must only count the amount actually received if the overpaid amount was counted when determining eligibility for cash assistance or MA, during the time the overpayment occurred. (See Section 319.63, Excluded Income.) 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(14)
The CAO must not count the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Title II income for Healthy Horizons categorically needy, HH cost-sharing, SLMB, or QI applicants or recipients until the second month after the month that the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIGs) are published. In most years, this means the COLAs are not counted through February, as FPIGs are normally published in January. The CAO must begin using the new FPIGs in March if the FPIGs are published in January.
Unearned income includes, but is not limited to, the following: 55 Pa. Code § 140.261
Retirement benefits, private pensions, and annuities, including any amount taken out for an insurance premium.
NOTE: For a Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association—College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) that is set up as a Transfer Payment Annuity (TPA) paid once a year; the annual payment should be averaged over the 12 months.
Social Security benefits (RSDI), including an amount deducted for the Medicare Part B premium
NOTE: SSA rounds the RSDI amount listed in the award letter down to the nearest dollar. The CAO must count the amount the applicant or recipient actually receives in the check. If an individual receives Medicare Part B, the amount of the premium must be added to the check amount.
NOTE: RSDI income for a disabled child is disregarded when determining income eligibility for PH 95. A disabled child must be reviewed for all other MA categories prior to PH 95, and this income is counted for all other MA categories.
Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
NOTE: The aid and attendance portion of VA benefits is excluded. If the applicant or recipient uses any of the benefit to support a dependent, that portion must be counted as income of the dependent.
Unemployment compensation (UC).
Employee disability benefits, if the individual plans to return to work. 55 Pa. Code § 140.251
Workers compensation (WC).
Dividends and interest in the calendar month posted or received. See Section 319.61 for treatment of royalties and honoraria.
Court-ordered or voluntary support or alimony payments. (See Section 319.621.) 55 Pa. Code § 140.264
NOTE: Court-ordered child support for a disabled child is disregarded when determining income for PH 95. A disabled child must be reviewed for all other MA categories prior to PH 95 and this income is counted for all other MA categories. Voluntary child support for a disabled child is counted when determining income eligibility for PH 95.
Gifts and contributions.
Any amount of Educational Assistance that is not part of excluded income. (See the SSI-related rules in Chapter 314, Students.)
55 Pa. Code § 140.273(2) 55 Pa. Code § 181.123(2) 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(9)
Room or board and rental property income. (See Section 319.711.) 55 Pa. Code § 140.265
Nonrecurring lump sum payments. 55 Pa. Code § 140.291
NOTE: Unearned lump sum payments include, but are not limited to, the following:
Life insurance benefits.
Inheritances.
Delayed RSDI, unemployment compensation, or workers compensation benefits.
Lottery winnings.
Payments for past-due court-ordered support (arrears).
NOTE: In the initial month the lump sum payment is received, the CAO must count it as a resource unless it would help the individual more to count it as income. If counted as income, any balance remaining after the initial month must be counted as a resource.
Prizes and awards. 55 Pa. Code § 140.262
NOTE: A prize is a cash payment won in a contest, lottery, or game of chance. An individual usually receives an award because of a decision by a court, board of arbitration, or similar legal body. A prize or award may be received as a lump sum or in several payments.
Inheritances. 55 Pa. Code § 140.263
A cash inheritance received as a nonrecurring payment is treated as a lump sum.
(See Chapter 357, Lump Sum.)
The CAO must receive proof of all unearned income and record all unearned income in the case record.
Support paid by a spouse, whether it is court-ordered, voluntary, or paid directly to the individual, must be counted when determining the individual’s eligibility. The amount of court-ordered support or alimony may be proven by a copy of the court order, a copy of the check, or a written statement from the Domestic Relations Office. If the Healthy Horizons household chooses to include a child in the eligibility determination and that child is receiving support, a $50 disregard is given. 55 Pa. Code § 140.264
NOTE: The $50 disregard is given for child support only. Spousal support does not receive the disregard.
NOTE: The CAO must not count court-ordered child support payments listed in the Pennsylvania Child Support Enforcement System (PACSES) when determining MA eligibility for a child with a disability. Court-ordered child support from out of state, which may not be in PACSES, must also be excluded if it is verified. To apply this disregard, the child must be found disabled by either the Social Security Administration or DPW’s Medical Review Team (MRT). No other finding of disability will be accepted.
NOTE: The CAO must not require the applicant or recipient to pursue support (arrears) as a condition of eligibility.
Money paid to cover support payments that were due in earlier months is considered a lump sum payment. (See Chapter 357, Lump Sum.)
Example: Mrs. Allen receives MA for herself. She has a court order for $200 a month but receives $600 for the first payment. It includes two months’ past-due payments. The CAO must count $200 as income in the month of receipt. The remaining $400 is treated as a lump sum payment.
The CAO must count interest income in the calendar month in which it is received, unless it is specifically excluded. (See Section 319.63, Excluded Income.)
NOTE: The interest income does not need to be withdrawn or actually received by the individual.
The CAO must not count interest income if:
It is received only once every three months (a calendar quarter). 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(12)
The combined total of the interest income plus any other infrequent or irregular unearned income is less than $20 for the month of receipt.
Examples:
Mrs. Baker receives interest on a savings account every other month. On April 1st, June 1st, August 1st, and October 1st, she got interest payments of $8.35, $9.15, $9.85, and $10.20. The CAO counts the interest Mrs. Baker got on April 1st and June 1st as unearned income, as it was received more than once in the quarter. The interest she got on August 1st is not counted. The interest she got on October 1st is counted, as she will receive interest again on December 1st, which is in the same calendar quarter.
Mrs. Cline receives quarterly interest on her savings account. She receives $12.35 in interest on April 1st and $13.15 on July 1st. On July 15th, she wins the lottery and receives $50. The CAO does not count the interest Mrs. Cline got in April, but it counts both the interest and the lottery winnings in July, because the total more than $20.
The CAO must not count income from certain sources when determining eligibility for Healthy Horizons.
The CAO must verify and record the reason for excluding the income. It may be necessary to verify the amount of excluded income.
The CAO must not count the following excluded income:
Income tax refunds.
A federal, state, or local tax refund is considered a resource and is treated as an unearned lump sum payment. (See Chapter 357, Lump Sum.)
55 Pa. Code § 140.241(2) 55 Pa. Code § 140.291
A federal tax refund may include a year-end EITC payment. The EITC portion of the refund is counted as a lump sum payment.
Educational assistance.
For complete information about the treatment of educational assistance, see the SSI-related rules in Chapter 314, Students.
55 Pa. Code § 140.271(9) 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(2) 55 Pa. Code § 181.123(2)
MA copayment refunds.
The CAO must not count money that is paid back to an individual because the individual paid more for MA services, as a copayment, than he or she needed to. 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(8)
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) supportive services.
The CAO must not count money that an individual receives from the Workforce Investment Area Agency (formerly the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982) for specific needs or support services such as child care, transportation, or meals. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(8)
Relocation assistance and real property acquisitions.
The CAO must not count money that an individual receives under Title II of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(7)
Senior Citizen Rebate and Assistance Act.
The CAO must not count money that an individual receives under rules of the Senior Citizen Rebate and Assistance Act. 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(13)
Example: Property tax rebates or rent rebates.
Foster care and adoption subsidy payments.
The CAO must not count money that an individual receives from a public or private placement or child care agency for providing foster care for a child. Money that an individual receives through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act or Article VII of the Public Welfare Code can be spent only to meet the needs of the foster child. The CAO must also not count maintenance subsidies received under the Adoption Opportunities Act.
Food assistance and free school lunches.
The CAO must not count the value of supplemental food assistance that an individual receives from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program or the National School Lunch Act. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(3)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The CAO must not count the value of a individual’s SNAP benefits (food stamps). 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(1)
USDA surplus food donation.
The CAO must not count the value of surplus commodities donated by the United States Department of Agriculture. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(2)
Home produce.
The CAO must not count the value of fruits or vegetables grown at home if an applicant/recipient group grew the produce for its own consumption.
Housing subsidies.
The CAO must not count Section 8 housing or utility subsidies, rehabilitation grants, or other federal housing subsidies that a individual receives under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, the National Housing Act, Section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965, Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, or the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(6)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The CAO must not count benefits that a individual receives for home energy assistance under LIHEAP.
Weatherization.
The CAO must not count weatherization services or assistance payments. 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(7)
Home energy assistance (HEA) benefits.
The CAO must not count home energy assistance benefits. These benefits are given in-kind by a private, nonprofit organization or given as cash or in-kind assistance by either a certified supplier of home heating oil or gas, a certified entity providing home energy whose revenues are based on a rate of return and regulated by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, or a certified municipal utility that provides home energy.
HEA benefits may include payments for heating or cooling, storm doors, weatherization services, blankets, and the like. HEA benefits do not include food or clothing. 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(11)
NOTE: If the CAO cannot tell whether a vendor is certified or an organization is registered with DPW,they must contact the area manager. If it turns out that the vendor or organization is not registered, the CAO must count the HEA benefit as unearned income.
Support or maintenance assistance (SMA) benefits.
The CAO must not count in-kind support or maintenance assistance benefits that an individual receives from a private, nonprofit organization. SMA benefits could include food, clothing, temporary emergency shelter, furniture, appliances, and the like. 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(11)
Payments made to volunteers.
The CAO must not count payments for supportive services or reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses made to volunteers serving as foster grandparents, senior health aides, or senior companions. Payments are not counted for any programs established under Section 404(g) and 418 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.
Borrowed money.
The CAO must not count money that an individual borrows. 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(10)
NOTE: Reverse mortgage payments (whether lump sum, monthly installment, or a combination of both) are considered loans in the month they are received. There is no exclusion for the resource if money from the loan is kept after the month in which it is received.
Money from conversion of a resource.
The CAO must not count money that an individual receives from turning a resource into cash. A conversion of a resource may occur by a sale, exchange or replacement of the resource. This includes any cash or in-kind item that is given to replace or repair an item that was lost, damaged, or stolen. The money must be counted as a resource. 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(1)
Payments from the Family Caregiver Support Program.
The CAO must not count payments made under the Department of Aging’s Family Caregiver Support Program. These payments are made to pay an individual back for the following: 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(12)
Ongoing caregiver expenses.
Assistance devices and home modifications.
Japanese-American and Aleut restitution payments.
The CAO must not count payments made under Title I of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and Title II of the Aleutian and Pribil of Island Act. This exclusion includes payments to survivors of Japanese-Americans.
This exclusion continues as long as the payments are kept separate and identifiable. If an individual uses the money to purchase real or personal property, the CAO must count the new resource, unless it is excluded. Interest on the payments is counted unless it is otherwise excluded.
Alaska native claims.
The CAO must not count tax-exempt payments that an individual receives under section 21(a) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
The CAO must not count money received under a program set up before July 1, 1973, that provides payments on the basis only of how long someone has lived in Alaska and of that individual reaching age 65. The Alaska Longevity Bonus is excluded under Section 1612(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(12)
Payments to Indian tribes. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(13)
The CAO must not count the following:
Payments to the Blackfeet and Gros Ventre tribes under the act of 3/18/72 (Pub. L. 94-540).
Payments to the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians under the act of 10/18/76 (Pub. L. 94-540).
Payments to the Yakima Indian Nation or the Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation under section 2 of the act of 10/10/78 (Pub. L. 95-433).
Payments to tribes or groups under Section 7 of the act of 10/9/73 (Pub. L. 93-134).
Receipts from land held in trust by the federal government and given out to members of certain Indian tribes under Section 6 of the act of 10/17/75 (Pub. L. 94-114). 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(14)
Older Americans Act benefits.
The CAO must not count any money, other than wages or salaries, that an individual receives under Section 210 of the Older Americans Act of 1965.
Retroactive SSI and RSDI payments.
The CAO must not count retroactive SSI or RSDI payments for six calendar months after the month in which the payment is received.
NOTE: If any portion of the payment is left after the end of the six-month period, the CAO must count it a resource. (See Section 350.63, Excluded Income—SSI Related.)
Earned income less than $10.
The CAO must not count earned income of less than $10 a month from a single source if it is received only once in a calendar quarter and on an infrequent or irregular basis to be reasonably anticipated. 55 Pa. Code § 140.272
Example: Mrs. Nguyen does housecleaning on a regular basis and earns $80 a week. On November 20th, a customer pays her $10 for some additional cleaning. On December 22nd, the same customer again requests additional cleaning and pays $10. The CAO doesn’t count the $10 from November 20th but counts the $10 from December 22nd, as Mrs. Nguyen got the earned income more than once in the quarter.
Unearned income less than $20.
The CAO must not count unearned income of less than $20/month that is received too infrequently or irregularly to be reasonably anticipated . If the amount is over $20 or is received more often than once in a calendar quarter, then the full amount must be counted as income. 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(7)
Example: Mrs. Arnold wins $18.50 in the lottery on February 10th, $20 on March 15th, and $19.30 on May 20th. The CAO does not count the February 10th winnings, because the total was less than $20. The CAO counts the March 15th winnings, because Mrs. Arnold got lottery winnings more than once in a quarter. The CAO does not count the May 20th winnings, because it was less than $20.
Disaster relief assistance.
The CAO must not count, for 18 months, money received as a result of an event that has been declared a major disaster by the President under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 or another federal law. All of the following conditions must be met: 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(4)
The individual was living in his or her own home at the time of the disaster and was forced to leave because of it.
The individual began to receive the disaster assistance within 30 days after the last day of the disaster.
The individual got the disaster assistance while living in any residential facility, including another individual’s home.
NOTE: The income exclusion begins on the date the disaster assistance is received and ends on the last day of the 18th full month after that.
The CAO must:
Verify the amount of the money and the date that it was received.
Exclude any money received for 18 full calendar months, beginning the month the first payment was received.
Create an alert for the 17th month to review the applicant/recipient group’s circumstances.
Count any cash remaining in the 19th month as unearned income.
Count any cash remaining after the 19th month as a resource.
Example: As a result of a flood on September 10, 2009, that was declared a disaster by the President, Mr. Burke receives unemployment compensation paid under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. He receives $60 a week, beginning on October 1st. The CAO excludes the income beginning October 1, 2009, and ending March 31, 2011.
Interest on disaster relief assistance.
The CAO must not count interest earned on disaster relief assistance for a period beginning the date the assistance was received and ending on the last day of the ninth full month following the month it was received.
The CAO must extend this period to 18 full months if the individual shows good cause for not repairing or replacing the property for which the disaster relief was given. Good cause is established when circumstances beyond the individual’s control prevent the replacement of a home or other kinds of property within the nine month period.
NOTE: The individual must show proof from at least two contractors to indicate that he or she has made a reasonable effort to have the damaged property repaired or replaced within the initial period. If the disaster has resulted in the need for much work in the area, then the CAO may contact area contractors to find out the minimum time needed to complete the work. An extension is granted only if the individual indicates that he still plans to make the repairs or replacement. The CAO must keep written documentation and record of any information obtained by verbal contact.
The CAO must:
extend the period an additional nine calendar months if good cause is established.
create an alert for the 17th month to review the applicant/recipient group’s circumstances.
if the individual changes his or her plan to make the repairs or replacement during the extended period, count any money still held for repairs, replacement, or contracting as income in the month the individual reports the change of plan.
if any unused funds, including interest, remains after the 19th month, count the cash as a resource.
Payments to victims of Nazi persecution.
Enacted into law on August 1, 1994, the Nazi Persecution Victims Eligibility Act (P.L. 103-286) excludes from income any payments made to people who were victims of Nazi persecution. This includes payment made by the German, Austrian, and Netherlands governments. 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(6)
Payments by a state based solely on residence.
The CAO must not count periodic payments made by a state based only on the length of residence and of the individual reaching age 65, under a program set up before July 1, 1973. 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(8)
Interest on burial funds.
The CAO must not count interest earned on a burial fund that has been excluded as a resource if the interest that builds up is part of the burial fund. (See Chapter 340, Resources.) 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(10)
NOTE: If this interest income is withdrawn, the CAO must count it as income.
Unearned income reduced to recover an overpayment.
If unearned income is reduced to pay back an overpayment, the CAO must count the net income if the overpaid amount was counted when determining eligibility for cash assistance or MA during the time the overpayment occurred. 55 Pa. Code § 140.273(14)
The CAO must:
Verify the monthly amount of the overpayment and the dates it took place.
Verify the amount being taken out of the current benefit as repayment.
Determine the total amount of the overpayments for the months the individual was receiving cash assistance or MA when the overpayment took place.
Divide the amount of the overpayment that was counted before by the amount being taken out of the current benefit to determine the number of months it can be excluded.
Create an alert to count the full benefit, including the reduction, when the total overpayment that was counted before is excluded.
Advance payments against expenses of obtaining income.
The CAO must not count a lump sum advance payment made to cover expenses to obtain income.
Wages, allowances, or transportation reimbursement under Title VI of the Rehabilitation Act.
The CAO must not count money received by an eligible individual with a disability for wages, allowances, or reimbursement for transportation and attendant care costs, unless there is an exception on a case-by-case basis. The individual must be employed in a project under Title VI of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Payments made by credit life or disability insurance policies.
The CAO must not count payments made under a credit life or disability insurance policy issued to or for borrowers to cover payments on loans or installment purchases if an individual dies or becomes disabled. These payments are made directly to the loan or mortgage company and are not available to the applicant or recipient.
Repayment of a loan.
The CAO must not count money received from another individual if he or she is repaying a loan.
NOTE: Interest on the money loaned must be counted as income.
Bill paid by a third party.
The CAO must not count the payment of a individual’s bill by a third party. 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(5)
Replacement income.
The CAO must not count money received to replace income that was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Example: An individual’s paycheck is stolen before he is able to cash it, and his employer issues a replacement check. The CAO counts the original paycheck as earned income in the month it was received and excludes the replacement check.
VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound allowance.
The CAO must not count the portion of the VA benefit which is specified as the Aid and Attendance or Housebound allowance. (For information about verifying Aid and Attendance, see Chapter 378, Verification, Appendix B.) 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(9)
NOTE: Any portion of the Aid and Attendance benefit that remains after the month it was received must be counted as a resource.
Social services.
The CAO must not count money received from any of the following social services: 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(12)
Cash or in-kind income given to an individual under a federal, state, or local government program that provides social services, including vocational rehabilitation.
In-kind assistance given to an individual under a nongovernmental program that provides social services.
Money given by a nongovernmental social services program to be used to repay program-approved services already paid by the individual, or to be used to pay for such services in the future.
NOTE: Examples of these services include homemaker services, attendant care, and chore services.
Assistance for the homeless.
The CAO must not count money given as assistance to a homeless individual. 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(14)
Assistance to prevent fuel cutoffs.
The CAO must not count money received under the Energy Emergency Crisis Assistance Program or the Emergency Energy Conservation Services program under Section 222(a)(5) of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(4)
Property tax refund.
The CAO must not count money received from a public agency as a refund of taxes paid on property.
Medical care and services.
The CAO must not count medical care and services if they are: 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(11)
Free or paid directly to the provider by another individual.
Room and board received during a period of confinement.
Provided as cash or in-kind income (including food, clothing, and shelter) under a federal, state, or local program that provides medical care or services, including vocational rehabilitation.
Cash provided by a nongovernmental medical care or medical service program under a health insurance policy if it is a repayment for program-approved services already paid for by the individual or if the payment is restricted to the purchase of a program-approved service in the future.
Example: The CAO must not count money paid to the individual from his insurance company to reimburse him for payments for prescription drugs.
Direct payment of medical insurance premiums by anyone on behalf of the individual.
In-kind assistance provided by a nongovernmental program that offers medical care or services.
Receipt of certain noncash items.
The CAO must not count non-cash items that are excluded as an MA resource. 55 Pa. Code § 140.241(13)
Agent Orange settlement payments.
The CAO must not count payments made from the Agent Orange Settlement Fund or any other fund set up for the settlement of the Agent Orange Product Liability litigation. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(19)
Earned income tax credit (EITC).
The CAO must not count EITC payments received monthly or as a refund at the end of the year.
Interest from certain burial space arrangements.
The CAO must not count interest earned on purchases of excluded burial spaces if the interest is left to accumulate. Interest not left to accumulate is counted as interest income. 55 Pa. Code § 140.271(20)
Radiation exposure compensation trust fund payment.
The CAO must not count a one-time lump sum payment to an individual exposed to doses of radiation and found to have contracted certain diseases after the exposure. Payment is made by the Federal Department of Justice to the individual or to his or her survivors. Interest earned on the unspent payment is counted as income.
Victims compensation payments.
The CAO must not count payments received from a state-administered victims compensation fund to cover expenses or losses suffered as the result of a crime.
NOTE: Any portion of the payment that remains after the calendar month when it is received is also excluded as a resource for nine calendar months following the month when it is received.
State and local relocation assistance.
The CAO must not count a relocation assistance payment made by a state or local government in the month when it is received. Any portion of the payment that remains is also excluded as a resource for nine months following the month of receipt.
Hostile-fire pay received from one of the uniformed services pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 310.
The CAO must not count hostile-fire pay. Hostile-fire pay is a payment to a service member who is killed, injured, or wounded by hostile fire, explosion of a hostile mine, or any other hostile action.
Interest or other earnings on a dedicated account that is excluded from resources.
Interest and other earnings (for example, dividends) earned on and left to accrue in the excluded dedicated account are excluded from income and resources.
Corporation for National and Community Services (CNCS) (formerly ACTION) programs.
The CAO must not count payments made to individuals who are participating in these volunteer services programs, including Volunteers In Service To America (Americorps*VISTA), University Year of Action, special and demonstration volunteer programs, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparent Program, and Senior Companion Program.
Department of Defense (DOD) payments to certain individuals captured and interned by North Vietnam.
The CAO must not count as income payments to certain individuals who were captured and interned by North Vietnam. Payments are made by the Department of Defense and are excluded as income, based on Section 606 of Public Law 105-78.
Vietnam veterans’ children with certain birth defects.
The CAO must not count as income or resources monthly benefits made by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Vietnam veterans’ children who suffer from spina bifida or other certain birth defects. Payments are made to or on behalf of these children, regardless of their age or marital status, and are excluded from income and resources. Interest earned on unspent payments is not excluded. This benefit was authorized under Public law 104-204 and 106-419.
2008 Economic Stimulus payments.
Payments provided under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-185) are known as recovery rebates or economic stimulus payments. These are not tax refunds. Beginning in May 2008, the United States Department of Treasury issued recovery rebates to more than 130 million people. These payments ranged from $300 to $600 for single people and up to $1200 for married couples who filed a joint return with the Internal Revenue Service and met the income levels. The payments may also include an extra $300 for each eligible child. These one-time payments must be excluded from both income and resources.
Updated February 14, 2012, Replacing June 20, 2008