SECTION 41.12. Real or personal property essential to self-support

(a) This rule describes exclusions when real or personal property is essential to an individual's means of self-support.

(b) Categories of property essential to self-support.

(1) Property used in a trade or business; property used by an individual as an employee for work; or government permits that represent authority granted by a government agency to engage in an income-producing activity.

(A) Are excluded as a resource regardless of value or rate of return.

(B) Government permits includes any permit, license, or similar instrument issued by a federal, state, or local government agency.

(C) Personal property used by an employee for work includes farm machinery, tools, safety equipment, uniforms, etc.

(2) Nonbusiness real or personal property used to produce goods or services essential to basic daily living needs:

(A) Up to six-thousand dollars ($6,000) of the equity value is excluded, regardless of rate of return.

(B) Any portion of the property's equity value in excess of six-thousand dollars ($6,000) is a countable resource.

(C) Nonbusiness property used to produce goods or services includes, but is not limited to:

(i) Growing produce or livestock solely for personal consumption in the individual's household or performing activities essential to the production of food solely for home consumption.

(ii) Timber lots, wood splitters, and other tools used to produce firewood solely for use in the applicant's or recipient's home.

(3) Nonbusiness income-producing property.

(A) Up to six-thousand dollars ($6,000) of the equity value is excluded as a resource if the property produces a net annual return equal to at least six percent (6%) of the excluded equity.

(B) Any portion of the property's equity value in excess of six-thousand dollars ($6,000) is a countable resource.

(C) If the property produces less than a six percent (6%) return, the exclusion can only apply if the lower return is for reasons beyond the individual's control and there is a reasonable expectation that the property will again produce a six percent (6%) return. Otherwise, none of the equity value is excluded under this section.

(D) If the earnings decline was for reasons beyond the individual's control, up to twenty-four (24) months can be allowed for the property to resume producing a six percent (6%) return. The twenty-four (24) month period begins with the first day of the tax year following the one in which the return dropped to below six percent (6%).

(E) If the tax return shows that the activity has operated at a loss for the two (2) most recent years or longer, the property cannot be excluded unless the individual submits current receipts and records to show that it currently is producing a six percent (6%) return.

(F) If an individual owns more than one (1) piece of income-producing property, the six percent (6%) return requirement applies individually to each property and the six-thousand dollar ($6,000) equity value limit applies to the total equity value of all the properties meeting the six percent (6%) return requirement.

(G) If all properties meet the six percent (6%) test but the total equity value exceeds six-thousand dollars ($6,000), that portion of the total equity value in excess of six-thousand dollars ($6,000) is a countable resource.

(c) For any of the exclusions to apply, the property must be in current use in the type of activity that qualifies it as essential.

(d) Property not in current use. If the property is not in current use, it must be for reasons beyond the individual's control and there must be a reasonable expectation that the use will resume within twelve (12) months of last use.

(1) Property not in current use can be excluded for twelve (12) months as essential for self-support if it has been in use and there is reasonable expectation that the use will resume. The individual must provide a signed statement of last date of use, reason the property is not in use, and when the individual expects to resume the self-support activity.

(2) If an individual alleges that self-support property is not in current use because of a disabling condition of the individual, the individual must provide a signed statement of the nature of the condition, the date the individual ceased the self-support activity, and when the individual intends to resume activity to receive up to an additional twelve (12) months.

(3) If the individual does not intend to resume the self-support activity, the property is a countable resource in the month after the month of last use.

(4) If, after property has been excluded because an individual intends to resume self-support activity, the individual decides not to resume such activity, the exclusion ceases to apply as of the date of the change of intent. The property is a resource in the following month.

(e) Individual responsibilities. The individual shall:

(1) Provide a copy of the tax return for the tax year prior to application or renewal to be used to determine the net income earned for the individual from the income-producing property.

(2) Provide pertinent documents and a signed statement if the individual alleges owning a government license, permit, or other property that represents government authority to engage in an income-producing activity, and has value as a resource. The statement shall include:

(A) The type of license, permit, or other property;

(B) The name of the issuing agency, if appropriate;

(C) Whether the law requires such license, permit, or property for engaging in the income-producing activity at issue; and

(D) How the license, permit, or other property is being used; or

(E) Why it is not being used.

(3) Provide a signed statement if the individual alleges owning items used in his or her work as an employee. The statement shall include:

(A) The name, address, and telephone number of the employer;

(B) A general description of the items;

(C) A general description of the individual's duties; and

(D) Whether the items are currently being used.

Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.