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Chapter: 1800 Income Program: MSSI, SFP 21 The one-third child support exclusion does not apply to child support arrearages received by an adult child or a minor child. 1840.0800 ASSISTANCE FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (MSSI, SFP) Assistance payments are benefits based on applicant or recipient need.

For the MSSI and SFP Programs, income tax refunds and earned income tax credits 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 refund remaining is excluded as an asset for 12 months following the date of receipt.

Earned income tax credit or refunds are excluded income. These are payments from programs that are federally mandated or financed in any amount with federal funds. To qualify, the individual must receive the program payment the month before receiving the tax credit or refund. This policy also applies to individuals with income subject to deeming. 1840.0801 Energy Assistance (MSSI, SFP) Passages 1840.0803.01 through 1840.0804 discuss energy assistance payments. 1840.0803.01 LIHEAP Payments (MSSI, SFP) Assistance payments received by households from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by DCF are excluded income. 1840.0803.02 HEA Payments (MSSI, SFP) 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. 1840.0804 Emergency Energy Conservation Services (MSSI, SFP) The Public Services Administration furnishes financial and other assistance through nonprofit agencies for special projects that assist low income individuals in conserving energy. Income from this source is excluded, including the following benefits and services:

1. winterization (materials and labor) of old or substandard dwellings; 2. third party vendor payments for winterization when they cannot be converted to cash and they do not result in the receipt of a basic need; 3. emergency loans and grants for energy conservation devices or increased housing expenses due to an energy crisis; 4. alternate fuel supplies and any fuel vouchers or stamps; 5. alternate transportation activities designed to save fuel and assure continued access to training, education, and employment; 6. assistance to prevent fuel cutoffs including plans for crisis intervention to prevent fuel cutoffs; 7. legal or technical assistance provided to represent the interests of the poor during an energy crisis; and 8. energy related assistance to nutrition, health, and other supportive services in emergencies such as providing meals when utilities have been turned off.