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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 129 Chapter 11 Chapter 11. Income 11.1 Definition of Income Income is any type of payment that is a gain or benefit to the household. ESA either counts a payment as income or excludes the payment based on federal or District laws and regulations. Income that ESA counts is either earned or unearned income.  ESA considers countable income when determining if a household is income-eligible for program benefits. Some or all countable income may be disregarded in a step of the eligibility determination process.  Countable income is the gross amount unless otherwise stated. This includes garnished income.  If a source of income is excluded for a program, ESA does not count it in any step of the eligibility determination process.  Income paid to an individual for the specific benefit of another person is considered the income of the person who benefits from the payment, not the payee.  All income a household receives is counted and budgeted when ESA determines eligibility for program benefits unless specifically excluded. Sometimes, income is treated differently based on the program in which it is being applied. Table 25.2.b, Treatment of Income Chart, describes different types of income and how they are treated for each program. Legal Authority Countable and excludable income (federal): SNAP: 7 USC § 2014(d)–(f), (i), (k)–(n); 7 CFR §§ 273.4(c), 273.9, 273.10(c), 273.11

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