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DIVISION OF WELFARE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES Child Care Policy Manual • VA Education Programs • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Education Grants Educational assistance is also provided by the National Community Services Act (NCSA) program. Individuals are awarded from $1,000 to $4,000 per year of completed services to apply toward past or future educational expenses. College work-study programs provide a method for postsecondary education students to earn funds that are used toward their education. Work-study programs help students earn monetary awards towards their postsecondary education. The program is based on financial need and students must be accepted into the program to qualify. 306.13 Energy Assistance Unearned - Exempt Energy assistance is a government or private program to reduce energy costs for low-income people who might have difficulty paying for heating and cooling. The assistance may be in the form of cash, vendor, in-kind or two-party check payments. 306.14 Foster Care Payments Unearned - Exempt A payment made to a licensed foster parent(s) or foster home for the care of a foster child(ren). 306.15 Gambling Winnings Unearned - Count Any income that is the result of games of chance or wagers on events with uncertain outcomes. Count as lump sum income in accordance with MS 306.23 306.16 Government Disaster Payments Unearned - Exempt Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and Individual and Family Grant (IFG) funds, made available to restore a home and personal possessions damaged in a disaster if the household is subject to legal penalties when the funds are not used as intended. 306.17 Independent Living Payments Unearned - Exempt The Independent Living Program is designed to prepare foster teens to move out on their own following the end of Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) custody and successfully live independently as an adult. Once custody has ceased, due to emancipation, these young adults may continue to receive limited financial assistance based upon need and available funding. The Independent Living Program services are available to youth 15 and older who are currently in foster care and to former foster care youth who aged-out of the foster care system at age 18. Independent living services are also available to youth who were adopted from foster care on or after their 16th birthday. Young people who aged-out may continue receiving services until age 21. Nevada will extend independent living services to youth who have aged out of care in another state. 306.18 Individual Development Account Unearned - Exempt The use of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) is intended to improve the economic independence and stability of individuals and families and to promote and support the transition to economic self- sufficiency. Federal funds match the amount of earnings low-income working individuals and families deposit into an IDA. IDA savings are to be used for a first home purchase, post-secondary educational expenses, or business capitalization. 300- Income and Assets [13] MTL 01/24 July 1, 2024