49-055 BENEFIT DETERMINATIONS

.1 Retrospective monthly accounting is used in determining the CAPI benefit amount. This means that as a general rule the individual’s or couple’s countable income received two months prior to the current month is used to determine the CAPI benefit in the current, or payment, month. .11 The month that is two months prior to the current month will be referred to as the budget month. .2 The following exceptions apply to the retrospective monthly accounting rule: .21 For the first two months of initial eligibility, the budget and payment months will be the same. .211 Non-recurring income received in the first month of eligibility is not considered in determining the benefit amount for the third month of eligibility. Effective 10/16/03 .212 Non-recurring income received in the second month of eligibility is not considered in determining the benefit amount for the fourth month of eligibility. .213 Non-recurring income is a type of income (Social Security, in-kind, earned, deemed, etc.) present in one month, but not the next month of eligibility. The same type of income received in one month and the next month, but in different amounts, does NOT meet the definition of non-recurring income. .22 In-kind support and maintenance received in the budget month is not used to further reduce a CAPI payment that is already reduced in the payment month because the individual is in the reduced needs household of another living arrangement. .23 Deemed income from an ineligible spouse from the budget month is not counted in determining CAPI benefits effective with the month after the month the ineligible spouse dies. .24 Deemed income from an ineligible parent from the budget month is not counted in determining CAPI benefits effective with the month after the month the ineligible parent dies, or after the month child attains age 18. .3 The CAPI benefit is calculated in the following manner: .31 Determine the correct payment standard for the payment month based on the applicant’s or recipient’s living arrangement for that month. .32 Subtract the individual’s, or couple’s, countable income from the budget month from the payment standard for the current month (subject to the exceptions listed in MPP Section 49-055.2). .33 The difference is the CAPI benefit amount for that month. .4 Each member of an eligible couple receives one-half of the couple’s benefit amount when each member is eligible for CAPI. NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 10553, 10554, and 18943, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Jones v. Shalala 5 F3d 447 (9th Cir. 1993); 20 CFR 416.420(a); 20 CFR 416.502, and Section 18940, Welfare and Institutions Code. Effective 10/16/03