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Chapter: 1800 Income Program: MSSI, SFP 9 9. child support if not redirected irrevocably from the source.

Note: If the naming of a guardian is a requirement to receive the income, deductions for guardianship fees are disregarded, i.e., are not counted as income. This is the only exception. 1840.0103 Infrequent or Irregular Income (MSSI, SFP) Infrequent or irregular earned income not in excess of $30 in a calendar quarter is excluded when receipt cannot be anticipated. Infrequent or irregular unearned income not in excess of $60 in a calendar quarter is excluded when receipt can not be anticipated. This includes one-time gifts of cash for special occasions such as birthdays or Christmas from someone whose income is not included in the SFU. If the income is anticipated on a regular basis it will be included regardless of the amount. 1840.0106 Availability of Income (MSSI, SFP) Some types of income are readily available to the individual and must be included; however, the individual may have limited or no access to income in certain situations. Some unavailable income may still be included as income. 1840.0108 Available Income (MSSI, SFP) 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 are as follows:

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.

3. Florida State Retirement benefits are received the last workday of the month. The payment is considered income in the following month for SSI-Related Programs.

4. 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.