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Chapter: 1600 Assets Program: MSSI, SFP 21

1. they are intended for use by someone other than the immediate family; and 2. the deed for the burial space specifies that the individual can sell the property.

If any joint owner refuses to permit the sale of the space or the burial service provider requires a move from the state in order to sell the space, the space is not treated as an included asset to the individual. The eligibility specialist must document any restrictions on the sale of the space by obtaining a statement from the joint owner or a copy of the burial contract. 1640.0517 Verification of Burial Spaces (MSSI, SFP) Sources of verification include documents such as deeds to cemetery lots or sales contracts for the purchase of cemetery lots.

There may be more than one gravesite per burial plot. If there is a question as to what constitutes a burial plot the case must be examined by the Circuit Legal Counsel.

For funeral agreements, verification includes copies of the funeral contract or agreement or a letter from the funeral services provider outlining the type and terms of the contract. 1640.0518 Cash (MSSI, SFP) Cash includes money the individual owns no matter where it is located. 1640.0519 Verification of Cash (MSSI, SFP) The individual must provide information on the amount of cash available. While an individual's statement of actual cash on hand is accepted without verification, the individual must be made aware that cash on hand includes:

1. amounts in the individual's personal possession; 2. amounts the individual may have at home; and 3. amounts being held for the individual elsewhere. 1640.0523 Foreign Currency or Coins (MSSI, SFP) Foreign currency or coins are included as cash assets in the amount they can be exchanged for United States currency. While coin collections may be cash, they are not liquid assets based on their face value, but nonliquid personal effects based on their collector's value. 1640.0526 Disaster Assistance (MSSI, SFP) Permanently exclude:

1. payments, including disaster unemployment assistance, received under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 {P.L. 93-288, Section 312(d)}, as amended by the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988 {P.L., 100-707, Section 105(i)] from assets. 2. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments made under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended by Public Law 109-64, enacted on September 20, 2005.

Exclude interest earned on disaster assistance payments from assets.

Excluded funds must be identifiable. Encourage the individual to maintain a separate account for excluded funds if possible. When excluded funds are commingled in an account with other funds assume that non-excluded funds are withdrawn first.

Disaster assistance funds are not restricted to restoration of a home but are subject to legal sanction if misused.