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Chapter: 2400 Budgeting Income Program: FS 8 11. receives an annuity payment under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, section 2(a)(1)(iv) and determined eligible to receive Medicare or to be considered disabled under Railroad Retirement Act, Section 2(a)(i)(v), based on criteria used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act;

12. receives interim assistance benefits pending receipt of SSI, receives medical assistance based on disability under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, or receives disability based state general assistance benefits provided that the eligibility to receive those benefits is based on criteria as stringent as those under Title XVI of the Social Security Act; or

13. receives disability retirement under the Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) which is due to the individual opting to receive FECA benefits because they are higher than Civil Service Retirement benefits (the disability must be considered permanent under Section 221(i) of the Social Security Act). 2410.0336 Shelter Costs Included (FS) Shelter costs are computed on an as-billed, rather than an as-paid basis. Shelter costs shall include only the following:

Continuing charges for the shelter occupied by the assistance group:

1. Rent or mortgage; 2. Mandatory maintenance or membership fees for a condominium or an apartment, even if not itemized and inclusive of services not normally considered shelter costs; 3. Loan repayments for the purchase of a mobile home, including interest on such payments; 4. Loan repayments for a down payment loan or second mortgage.

Non-continuing charges:

1. Property taxes, 2. State and local assessments; 3. Insurance on the structure or the structure and contents if it is verified that the costs cannot be separated in the premium. 4. Shelter costs for the home if temporarily unoccupied by the assistance group because of employment or training away from home, illness, or abandonment caused by a natural disaster or casualty loss are allowable. The assistance group must intend to return to the home and the current occupants of the home, if any, must not be claiming the shelter costs for food stamp purposes. The home must not be leased or rented during the absence of the assistance group. 5. Charges for the repair of the home which was damaged or destroyed due to a natural disaster that will not be reimbursed by private or public relief agencies, insurance companies or from any other source; rebuilding payments and payments on the lot when the home is completely destroyed, provided the assistance group intends to return; rebuilding and lot payments are allowed in addition to shelter expenses incurred at the temporary residence. 2410.0337 Verification of Shelter Costs (FS) The individual’s statement is acceptable verification of shelter and utility expenses unless questionable. If questionable the expenses must be verified. 2410.0344 Standard Utility Allowance (FS) The standard utility allowance (refer to Appendix A-1) is available only to assistance groups who:

1. incur a heating or cooling expense separate and apart from their rent or mortgage;