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Page | 137 C. Money deducted or diverted from a court-ordered support or alimony payment (or other binding written support or alimony agreement) to a third party for a household expense will be considered as income. However, payments specified by the court order or other legally binding agreement to go directly to the third party rather than to the household, and support payments not required by a court order or other legally binding agreement (including payments in excess of amount specified in a court order or written agreement) which are paid to a third party rather than the household will be excluded as a vendor payment, even if the household agrees to the arrangement.

8303 UTILITY REIMBURSEMENT

All HUD utility payments will be totally excluded as income (both direct and vendor payments).

8304 FOSTER CARE

If the household chooses to include a foster care child or adult as a household member, the entire foster care payment counts as income to the household. If the household chooses to exclude the foster care child or adult, the entire foster care payment is excluded from income consideration. Households should be informed of the impact to their benefit based on the inclusion or exclusion of the foster child or adult.

A. Structured Family Care Program (SFC) is an adult foster care program designed for family members who take care of their loved ones at home. The SFC program connects experienced coaches with family caregivers telephonically and through a secure mobile app to provide guidance, skills and support to families along their caregiving journey. The Department of Human Service Division of Long Term Services and Support pays a financial stipend to ensure that caregivers have access to the resources needed to manage the progression of the individual medical conditions.

8305 IRREGULAR INCOME

This exclusion applies only to non-reporting households. Income in the certification period is excluded if received too infrequently or irregularly to be reasonably anticipated. Such infrequent or irregular income of all household members cannot exceed $30 in a 3 month period. 8306 CHARITABLE DONATIONS

A. Cash donation or assistance from a business, organization, agency, community endeavor, or church intended and used for purposes other than the household’s basic month-to- month needs are excluded, unless the source is a government agency. Assistance from government agencies is not considered a charitable donation. Example: Court order states $700 is the monthly child support obligation payable to child custodian, of which $100 is expected to be paid for child care. The entire $700 is counted as income regardless of whether or not the payee pays the money to the custodian or the child care provider (legally obligated). However, if the court order states $600 is to go to the custodian parent and $100 to be paid to the child care provider (separate obligations), the $100 would be excluded as a vendor payment if paid to a third party. If paid to the custodian parent, and he/she was billed for at least $100 child care, the $100 could also be excluded as a reimbursement. If no child care obligation, and custodian parent receives the $100 it is counted as unearned income.