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I V - A S T A T E O F M A I N E T A N F S T A T E P L A N 6 | P a g e

• Participation in a Training or Education Program; • Working Families; • Pregnancy; • Loss of Job; • Occurrence of an Emergency Situation; • Earnings Disregard.

Financial Eligibility

Consideration is given to the income and assets of all members of the filing unit as well as excluded stepparents, sponsors of aliens, sanctioned parents and parents or legal guardians of minor parents.

Income

Income includes earned and unearned income as well as potential income available to members of the filing unit. Gross and net income limits are set by rule.

Assets

Eligibility is limited to families whose available resources total less than $2,000. The values of the home and a primary vehicle are excluded.

Earned Income Disregards

A Work-Related Disregard disregards a portion of the earned income when determining income eligibility and a cash benefit amount. The first $108 and 50 percent of the remaining income, dependent care costs, and income of minor family members and dependent children in an assistance unit are disregarded.

A Step Disregard disregards a portion of earned income when determining a cash benefit amount. The Step disregard may be used for up to six months. Months used are not required to be consecutive. • Step one disregards 100% of the earned income for the individual, for a maximum of three months. • Step two disregards 75% of the earned income for the individual, for a maximum of three months.

An individual can utilize either the Work Related or Step disregard in a benefit month, but not both.

Temporary Census Bureau employment income is disregarded in its entirety when determining income eligibility and a cash benefit amount.