Page 38

Chapter: 1800 Income

Program: RAP 34 1860.0801 Energy Assistance (RAP) Passages 1860.0803.01 and 1860.0803.02 discuss energy assistance payments. 1860.0803.01 LIHEAP Payments (RAP) Assistance payments received by households from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by Department of Community Affairs are excluded income. 1860.0803.02 HEA Payments (RAP) 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. 1860.0805 Programs Administered by HUD/USDA Rural Housing (RAP) 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 1860.0806 and 1860.0807 discuss further policy for payments received for utilities and housing assistance from HUD/USDA Rural Housing. 1860.0806 HUD/USDA Rural Housing Utility Payments (RAP) 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. 1860.0807 Public Housing (RAP) Assistance received in cash from public housing authorities is excluded up to the difference between the payment standard and consolidated need standard (CNS). When assistance is received in excess of the maximum exclusion, the excess is considered unearned income in the budget. 1860.0809 Vocational Rehabilitation (RAP) Assistance from a vocational rehabilitation agency within certain limitations is excluded. The source of income must be verified and documented. 1860.0810 Limit on Rehabilitation Assistance (RAP) Assistance provided for rehabilitation toward total self-support will not be considered as income if:

1. the assistance is provided by a rehabilitation agency; 2. the plan is made between the individual and a representative of the rehabilitation agency; and 3. the plan is detailed in the case record.