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Chapter: 1800 Income Program: TCA 43 4. the AmeriCorps Network of Programs (also known as AmeriCorps State/National Programs).

There are also summer programs in each of these program areas.

For TCA, NCSTA payments are budgeted as follows:

1. Living allowances are treated as earned income, subject to earned and student earned income disregards. For participants other than children, earned income disregards are not applied in the 185% of need test.

2. Educational Stipends paid to Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) participants are disregarded unless “the Director of ACTION determines that the value of all such payments, adjusted to reflect the number of hours such volunteers are serving, is equivalent to or greater than the minimum wage then in effect under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, or the minimum wage under the laws of the state where the volunteer is serving, whichever is greater”.

3. Child care allowances are treated as grants. They are considered available income only to the extent not used to meet child care costs.

4. Basic health insurance policies, child care services, auxiliary aid and services to individuals with disabilities, and the national service l awards are treated as in-kind benefits. 1820.1000 DIVIDENDS AND INTEREST (TCA) Dividends and interest from investments such as stocks, bonds, insurance, and savings are excluded as unearned income. Insurance cash coupons that accrue under an insurance policy will be taken into consideration when determining the asset value of the policy and are not considered income. 1820.1006 Mortgages (TCA) The interest portion of the payment on a mortgage is excluded as unearned income. The principal portion on the outstanding balance of the mortgage is considered an asset. 1820.1012 Interest in Individual Development Accounts (TCA) Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are dedicated savings accounts that can be used by eligible participants for purchasing a first home, paying for post-secondary education, transportation, assistive technology or capitalizing a business. These IDAs are comprised of participant’s savings from earned income and may be matched by funds controlled by the Regional Workforce Board. Excluded IDAs must be funded in part with TANF or Assets for Independence Act (AFIA) dollars.

Funds in an IDA, including interest accruing in such accounts, shall be disregarded in determining eligibility in cash assistance. 1820.1100 REIMBURSEMENTS (TCA) Reimbursements for past or future expenses are excluded if they do not exceed actual expenses and do not represent a gain or benefit. To be excluded, these payments must be specifically intended and used for expenses other than normal living expenses.