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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |86 Effective Month: July 2025 200A.07.34 FEDERAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE The Federal Government through the Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service (RHS), formerly the Farmers Home Administration, provides many forms of housing assistance including: • Subsidized housing (such as, public housing, reduced rent, cash toward utilities) • Loans for renovations • Loans for construction, improvement, or replacement of farm Loans for construction, improvement, or replacement of farm homes and other buildings • Mortgage or investment insurance • Guaranteed loans and mortgages This assistance may be provided directly by the federal government or through other entities such as local housing authorities or nonprofit organizations. The value of any assistance paid with respect to a dwelling unit is not counted as income or resources if paid under a program or project in which HUD or RHS is involved. “Section 8” housing is HUD housing assistance. 200A.07.35 LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE Through a block grant, the federal government provides funds to states for energy assistance (including weatherization) to low-income households. This assistance may be provided by a variety of agencies (such as state or local welfare offices, community action agencies, special energy offices) and known by a variety of names (for example, HEAP, Project Safe). It is most often provided in a medium other than cash (such as, voucher, two-party check, direct payment to vendor) but may be in cash. Home energy assistance payments or allowances provided under the Federal Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are not counted as income or resources. 200A.07.36 HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE (HEA/SMA) Low-income energy assistance discussed above is governmental assistance. The legislative intent of the exclusion of HEA/SMA was to address charitable efforts by the community to help recipients.