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a. Verify the income by contacting the provider of the food or shelter. Obtain from the provider a written statement of the value.

b. If the amount of in-kind income varies, obtain an average for the past six months.

c. Do not count items other than food or shelter (e.g., payment of phone bill, medicine, pampers or other supplies). Shelter includes rent, mortgage payment, utilities, fuel, and property taxes.

d. Never count more in-kind income than 1/3 of the current SSI amount (individual or couple) plus $20.00. This is the maximum value you would count for in-kind support and maintenance. Less can be counted based on the actual amount verified of the value of in-kind support and maintenance.

AA. Severance Pay

Severance pay is extra pay given to an employee by his former employer when the employee is dismissed through no fault of his own. Count gross when considering severance pay.

1. Severance pay may be paid out in one of the following ways:

a. In one payment, treat as a lump sum payment. Refer to VIII.

b. In a series of payments, treat as income received on a regular basis: monthly, weekly, etc. Refer to IV. for base period instructions.

2. If the severance pay has ended, treat it as terminated income. Refer to V.

3. Verify the amount and payment schedule by:

a. Seeing the check stub,

b. Seeing wage verification form, or

c. Contacting the former employer.

BB. Gaming Proceeds for Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation

Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians receive a distribution of profits as permitted under P.L. 98-64 from gaming operations on their reservations. Payments are made semi-annually in June and December. The receipt of a per capita payment or an increase in the amount of the per capita payment is not considered a change. A