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Chapter: 1800 Income Program: TCA 26 1820.0108.01 Available Income (TCA) Income must be available to meet the SFU's needs to be considered, except in the case of lump sum income. Generally, income is considered available when it is actually available and/or when the individual has the legal ability to make the income available.

Exceptions to the policy above:

Occasionally, a regular monthly payment (e.g., Title II or VA) is received in a month other than the month of normal receipt. As long as there is no interruption in the regular payment schedule, consider the funds to be income in the normal month of receipt. Examples of this situation follow:

1. Advance Dated Checks - When a payor advance dates a check because the regular payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, there is no intent to change the normal delivery date. Whenever such an advance dated check goes to a bank by direct deposit, the funds may be posted to the account before or after the month they are payable.

2. Electronic Funds Transfer - When an individual's money goes to a bank by direct deposit, the funds may be posted to the account before or after the month they are payable. Whenever this occurs, treat the electronically transferred funds as income in the month of normal receipt. Florida State Retirement benefits are received the last workday of the month.

3. Income may be unavailable due to legal restrictions or factors beyond the control of the individual. In both these situations, the eligibility specialist must request supporting evidence and make an independent assessment regarding availability based on the evidence presented. Additional guidance may be requested from the Region or Circuit Program Office, Headquarters, or Circuit Legal Counsel. 1820.0108.02 Government Income Excluded (TCA) Funds from the following sources are excluded if the individual for whom the funds are specified or intended is not in the SFU:

1. Family Placement Program, 2. Office of Developmental Services, 3. DCF, 4. Home Care for the Elderly Program, and 5. Aging Program Office. 1820.0108.03 Joint Bank Accounts (TCA) The interest received from bank accounts is excluded as income to the individual. 1820.0112 Payments to Joint Owners (TCA) Payment to joint owners is one payment made to two or more individuals.

A document, such as a single or combined Social Security check for a couple or to a parent on behalf of two or more children, indicating the amount due each owner is generally sufficient verification of ownership.

In the absence of specific documentation, divide the income minus allowable expenses by the number of beneficiaries to determine the income amount for each individual.