340:10-3-26 General provisions regarding income

Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) defines income as any gain, payment, or proceeds from labor, business, property, retirement, and other benefits. OKDHS includes all available income, except income disregarded by law or OKDHS policy, to determine eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance. Income is available when actually received. When an overpayment or recoupment reduces an individual's income, OKDHS uses the gross amount before the recoupment or garnishment as the countable income. (1) The assistance unit must report income changes per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:65-5-1, within 10-calendar days. This requirement includes changes in the source, amount, and payment frequency. (2) Income received on behalf of a member of the assistance unit by another individual, such as, but not limited to, a guardian or conservator, is available to the assistance unit. (3) Money received and used for the care and maintenance of a third party not included in the assistance unit does not count as income when it is identified and verified as intended for third party use. The income of a stepparent is per OAC 340:10-3-57(e). (4) If it appears any member of the TANF assistance unit or an individual whose income and resources are considered per OAC 340:10-3-57(e) is eligible for any type of income or benefits, Adult and Family Services eligibility staff uses Form 08AD092E, Client Contact and Information Request, to notify the assistance unit in writing. Form 08AD092E contains the information that failure to apply for and take all appropriate steps to obtain such benefits within 30-calendar days from the date of the notice results in a determination of ineligibility. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not fall under these types of benefits. (5) When spouses live together or live apart, but there has not been a clear break in the family relationship, income received by either spouse and income received jointly is family income. (6) Income received by a member of the TANF cash assistance unit cannot be diverted to members receiving State Supplemental Payments or to meet the needs of a stepparent. (7) Any family member receiving SSI is not included in a TANF benefit and the SSI income is not considered in computing the TANF benefit. (8) When an applicant's net income, after applying applicable earned income exemptions per OAC 340:10-3-33, meets or exceeds the payment standard for that month, the application is denied. (9) Refer to OAC 340:10-3-31.1 to determine whether the recipient is eligible for an earned income disregard prior to closing the TANF cash assistance payment because of earnings.