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Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Energy Assistance Program Manual The prior income could be earned or unearned income, e.g., irregular child support, money from a job loss, unemployment, etc. If prior/terminated income is utilized, it is applied when establishing the fixed annual credit benefit (not eligibility) for zero income households. The prior income is “annualized” and budgeted when determining the FAC benefit. Resources such as withdrawals from a savings accounts, money market accounts, etc., used to meet expenses are annualized and budgeted when determining the FAC benefit.

I. Budgeting for Zero Income Households/Expenses Exceeds Income Applicant households indicating zero income on the application, or have expenses exceeding household income, the worker must determine the projected annual income using the average income of the following: 1. up to a 12-month history of income (check stubs, ESD printouts, etc.); or 2. the year-to-date income amount; or 3. the previous year’s IRS tax return if no other income data is available. If there is tangible evidence to believe that the information EAP received from the applicant was intentionally misleading or the applicant withheld information needed to determine their eligibility, a referral should be made to I&R. Listed below are some examples: a) Employment history in ANSRS for time period considered for eligibility, and no employment reported. b) Evidence in AMPS/NOMADS of unreported earnings or household members. c) Conflicting verification/information the caseworker could not resolve with the household. B. Temporary Service Agency Employment/Temporary Employment

For individuals who are enrolled with a temporary agency to provide services on a contract basis, verification of their income for at least the prior six (6) months from the date of application is required. This is considered earned income.

For individuals who gain temporary employment, e.g. with the Census Bureau, verification of their income for the last 60 days from the date of application and how long they are projected to be employed will be calculated and annualized as earned income. C. Cash Contributions If the applicant household has ongoing or irregular cash contributions (regular or sporadic), the worker must verify the amount and duration of such contributions. If the household received the cash contribution(s) for six (6) months or more and expects to continue receiving, the total amount is averaged for the months received and multiplied by twelve to determine eligibility and the fixed annual credit (FAC) benefit.

If the income was received for less than six months and not expected to continue, the actual amount received is added to the other annual income for the purpose of determining eligibility and the fixed annual credit (FAC) benefit.

MTL 01/24 June 25, 2024 - 8 - Section 700 – Income