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Chapter: 1800 Income

Program: CIC 12 1850.0800 ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (CIC) Assistance payments are benefits based on applicant or recipient need.

The following topics are discussed in this section:

1. Energy Assistance 2. Programs Administered by HUD/USDA Rural Housing (for Public Housing and utility payments), 3. Vocational Rehabilitation, 4. Disaster Assistance Payments, 5. Foster Care Payments, 6. Developmental Services, 7. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and 8. Assistance Payments Based on Need. 1850.0801 Energy Assistance (CIC) Passages 1850.0803.01 and 1850.0803.02 discuss energy assistance payments. 1850.0803.01 LIHEAP Payments (CIC) Assistance payments received by households from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by Department of Community Affairs are excluded income. 1850.0803.02 HEA Payments (CIC) Payments received in the form of home energy assistance (HEA) are excluded if they are based on need and certified by DCF.

Across-the-board rebates from utility companies to all customers are not considered to be based on need.

The source of HEA payment must be verified. 1850.0805 Programs Administered by HUD/USDA Rural Housing (CIC) Individuals generally can exclude the value of any assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the USDA Rural Housing (formerly Farmers Home Administration (FmHA)) used to offset their rent or mortgage payments. These payments may be made to landlords or mortgagees.

Passages 1850.0806 and 1850.0807 discuss further policy for payments received for utilities and housing assistance from HUD/USDA Rural Housing. 1850.0806 HUD/USDA Rural Housing Utility Payments (CIC) When an assistance group lives in subsidized housing, all or a portion of its rent may be paid by HUD or the USDA Rural Housing (formerly Farmers Home Administration (FmHA)). In this situation, a rent deduction may be claimed for the amount the assistance group actually pays. The assistance group may also qualify for a HUD or USDA Rural Housing utility payment.

HUD and USDA Rural Housing utility payments are excluded as income due to these payments being made for the purpose of providing energy assistance. Additionally, when a HUD/USDA Rural Housing utility allowance is used to reduce the amount of rent, this type of "utility allowance" is not to be considered income.