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Chapter: 1800 Income Program: TCA 36 1820.0800 ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (TCA) For Temporary Cash Assistance federal income tax refunds are handled as follows: Federal income tax refunds are not included as income because the amount previously withheld or paid was, or would have been, counted as income as part of gross earnings. The amount of the federal refund is excluded as an asset in the month of receipt and for 12 months following the date of receipt. 1820.0801 Energy Assistance (TCA) Passages 1820.0803.01 and 1820.0803.02 discuss energy assistance payments. 1820.0803.01 LIHEAP Payments (TCA) Assistance payments received by households from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by DCF are excluded income. 1820.0803.02 HEA Payments (TCA) 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. 1820.0805 Programs Administered by HUD/USDA Rural Housing (TCA) Individuals generally can exclude the value of any assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Farmers Home Administration 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 1820.0806 and 1820.0807 discuss further policy for payments received for utilities and housing assistance from HUD/USDA Rural Housing. 1820.0806 HUD/USDA Rural Housing Utility Payments (TCA) 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. 1820.0807 Public Housing (TCA) 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. 1820.0809 Vocational Rehabilitation (TCA) Assistance from a vocational rehabilitation agency within certain limitations is excluded. The source of income must be verified and documented. 1820.0810 Limit on Rehabilitation Assistance (TCA) Assistance provided for rehabilitation toward total self-support will not be considered as income if: