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the eligibility worker must use good judgment to decide if verification is adequate or otherwise obtainable. If the costs reported are comparable to the costs incurred by others in the community, the eligibility worker may decide to accept the household's statement as adequate verification. The eligibility worker may anticipate expenses and allow the shelter expenses based on the verification.

Verification at recertification is not required if there has been no change in residence or obligation for expenses since previously verified.

Shelter costs which are allowed in an expedited budget must be verified along with all other postponed verification. Any shelter verification not provided in a timely manner will not be included in the ongoing budget.

3440.20.00 HUD UTILITY PAYMENTS (S)

HUD rent and utility payments are exempt as income.

The HUD payments should be deducted from the actual expense and only the excess portion the AG must pay is to be deducted.

Case notes should document the explanation for the deduction. 3440.25.00 REPAIR COST EXPENSES (S)

Charges for the repair of the home which was substantially damaged or destroyed due to a natural disaster such as a fire or flood are allowable as a shelter deduction.

Shelter costs may not include charges for repair of the home that have been or will be reimbursed by private or public relief agencies, insurance companies, or from any other source. Only the non- reimbursed costs of repairs are allowable. 3440.30.00 SHELTER EXPENSES OF UNOCCUPIED HOMES (S)

Shelter costs are allowable for a home that is not actually occupied for one of the following reasons: • Employment or training away from home; • Illness; • Abandonment of the home due to natural disaster; or • Casualty loss.

Additionally, the shelter costs of an unoccupied home are only allowed if: • the AG intends to return to the home; and • the home is not leased or rented in the AG’s absence; and