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Families and Children Manual Section: Financial Eligibility Policy Manual Number: 010.045 Chapter: Medically Needy Countable and Excluded Income
November 01, 2021 Division of TennCare 2
forms of animal or vegetable life, as well as money from patronage dividends and fuel tax credits and refunds. In-Kind Not Food/Shelter This includes clothing that is not considered part of an employee’s wages. In-Kind Wages Non-cash compensation such as food, shelter, or other items received by an individual for work performed in place of, or in addition to, wages, profit or payment in cash. The value of in-kind wages is determined by the current market value of the item less any outstanding balance due on the item, if any. Countable when received, set aside for use or credited to an account. Military Allowances Cash allowances paid to active-duty service members and their families for housing, food, clothing and special circumstances count as earned income in the month of receipt.
The basic allowance for subsistence (BAS), paid to military personnel to offset the cost of meals, counts as earned income.
The basic allowance for housing (BAH) counts as earned income when the payment is made to military personnel living in private housing.
When the BAH is paid to service members living on base or in privatized military housing and the allowance is paid and deducted from the service member’s pay in the same month or paid directly to the housing contractor, the BAH is excluded. Older Americans Act Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 provides part-time jobs for unemployed low-income people age 55 and older who have poor employment prospects. Count only wages and salaries paid to individuals as a result of their participation in a program funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 as earned income. Royalties/Honoraria
Royalties are countable earned income when they are either received as part of a trade or business or received by an individual in connection with any publication of his work. Royalties are counted as unearned income in all other situations. For example, an individual may receive payment for the use of a patent or natural resource that she owns.
Honoraria are payment for services when fees are not legally or traditionally required. Honoraria are counted as earned income. For example, a professional who speaks at a meeting may receive an honorarium for her services and time.