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Chapter 4 - Determining Countable Income

INTRODUCTION 4.1

Income is either countable or excluded. If income is countable, it is considered to be either earned or unearned income.

Countable income is income that is considered in some way when determining whether a group is income- eligible for program benefits. Some or all countable income may be disregarded in some step of the eligibility determination process (see Chapter 6: Income Disregards and Deductions in this Part).

Excluded income means that it is not considered in any amount or in any step of the eligibility determination process.

Income that is paid to a person for the specific benefit of another person is considered the income of the beneficiary rather than the payee.

Countable income is the gross amount unless otherwise noted and includes garnished amounts.

Count and budget all income received that is not specifically excluded. If a customer reports income that is not defined in the IMA Policy Manual, contact the IMA Policy Office for guidance.

Exhibit VI-2: Summary of Earned/Unearned Income summarizes how different types of income are to be treated.

LEGAL AUTHORITY 4.2 AREA/TOPIC DISTRICT FEDERAL Countable and Excludable Income TANF: D.C. Code 3-205.5-5a; 3-205.10- 11; 3-205.13a; 3-205.19; 3-205.22, 3- 205.33; 3-205.36-37; 3-205.52; 29 DCMR 5814 GC: See TANF and D.C. Code 3-205.5a. MA: 42 USC 1396a(l), 1396u-1, 1396a(m), 1396a(r)(2); 42 CFR 435.601-.602, 435.811, 435.831

FS: 7 USC 2014(d)-(f), 2014(h), 2014(k)-(m); 7 CFR 273.9, 273.10(c), 273.11 Child Support D.C. Code 3-205.19; 3-217.7-8; 29 DCMR 1707-1715 See TANF and D.C. Code 3-205.5a. TANF: 45 CFR 264.30-31

FS: 7 USC 2014(d), 2014(e)(4); 7 CFR 273.9(b)(2)(iii), (b)(5)(ii), (d)(7)

ADOPTION SUBSIDY 4.3 ALL An adoption subsidy is a payment to the adopting parent(s) of an adopted child who would remain in foster care without the subsidy incentive. There are two types of adoption subsidies: • support subsidy: a payment for ongoing care and support of the child, and • medical subsidy: a payment for medical expenses due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition of the child.