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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |89 Effective Month: July 2025 200A.07.40 COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANTS The Department of Health and Human Services makes community service block grants to States to provide a broad range of services and activities to assist low-income individuals and alleviate the causes of poverty in a community. States may subsequently make grants or enter into contracts with private nonprofit organizations or political subdivisions. Assistance involving community service block grants is subject to the general rules pertaining to income. 200A.07.41 WORK RELIEF (WORKFARE) PROGRAMS Many governmental assistance programs require that certain recipients work in exchange for the assistance provided. Most often the amount of the assistance payment is divided by the minimum wage and the recipient required to perform some service for the resulting number of hours. Usually, a participant in such a work program is given money to cover any expenses incurred (e.g., carfare, special clothing, miscellaneous, etc.). Programs connected with general assistance have various locally established names. Programs connected with TANF include the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP), and the Work Incentive Program (WIN). Programs are often run as demonstrations or pilot projects. The fact that an individual is required to work in exchange for an income based on need or assistance based on need payment does not change the nature of the payment. The payment in such situations is an assistance payment and is not earned income. 200A.07.42 PROGRAMS FOR OLDER AMERICANS The Federal Government through the Administration on Aging is involved in a variety of programs for older Americans. State or local governments or community organizations may operate the programs. Some types of programs are: • Health services • Nutrition services • Legal assistance • Community service employment A wage or salary paid under Programs for Older Americans is counted as earned income subject to the general policies regarding earned income. Anything provided under the Programs for Older Americans other than a wage or salary is not counted as income.