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Determining Countable Income 2.5.3

Income Limits 2.5.2

There is no gross income limit for the household. The household's net income must be at least $10 less than the TANF payment level for a family of the same size. Single Applicant/Recipient or Disabled Married Couple

No earned income or unearned income deductions are allowed, when calculating a household's countable income. Income is deducted dollar-for dollar from the payment level to determine the household's financial eligibility and benefit amount.

Applicant/Recipient with Non-Disabled Spouse

The income of the applicant/recipient is counted dollar-for-dollar like that of a single person or disabled couple.

The income of a spouse who lives with the applicant/recipient and is not included in the IDA household must be deemed using the following formula:

Total income of non-IDA spouse minus TANF payment level for one person equals net income deemed to IDA household.

Example 1 Ms. Campbell is single. She earns $150 a month babysitting for her daughter, and gets $60 in countable contributions. Her net countable income is $210. Ms. Campbell is eligible for a $60 IDA payment. Gross Earned Income = $150 IDA Payment Level =$270 Gross Unearned Income = $60 - Net Income -$210 IDA Benefit = $60 Net Countable Income = $150 + $60 = $210

Example 2 Mrs. Hawkins is married and lives with her husband, who is not disabled, and is not included in the IDA household. Mrs. Hawkins has no income. Mr. Hawkins does odd jobs and earns an average of $400 a month. Mrs. Hawkins' net countable income is $130. Mrs. Hawkins is eligible for an IDA benefit of $140 Gross Earned Income = $0 IDA Payment Level = $270 Gross Unearned = $0 - Net Income -$130 IDA Benefit =$140 Deemed Income = $400 - $270 = $130 Example Mrs. Jackson’s net income is $262. Since the TANF benefit amount for one person is $270, Mrs. Jackson’s net income is only $8 less than the corresponding TANF grant ($270 - $262 = $8). Mrs. Jackson is over income for IDA benefits.