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305.2 TANF MANUAL 7/19 Page 12

305.2 INCOME TO BE COUNTED - For the purpose of determining the amount of payment for an assistance unit, it is necessary to deduct the net countable income from the monthly standard of assistance applicable to the assistance unit. Net countable income is all income, both earned and unearned, which is available or expected to be available to members of the assistance unit, except for that portion specifically disregarded.

EXCEPTIONS:

(1) Reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses shall not be considered countable income. These expenses may include reimbursement for travel expenses, such as mileage; reimbursement to the caretaker of a child for child care expenses; reimbursements for expenses incurred as a volunteer, etc.

(2) Money which belongs to another person that is handled by the client to pay expenses for that person is not considered available to the assistance unit. Example: Mrs. C. has a son in the Army who is currently in Germany. He sends her $250 a month to pay his car payment of $250 a month. None of this money is to be considered as income to Mrs. C.

Example:

Mrs. X and Mrs. Y live in the same house which is rented in Mrs. X's name. Mrs. Y gives Mrs. X an established portion of the rent each month. Mrs. X adds her portion to Mrs. Y's and pays the rent. Since this is a "shared shelter" arrangement, Mrs. Y's portion of the rent is not considered income to Mrs. X.

Note: This guidance is not intended to replace roomer/boarder and property rental situations.

(3) Nonrecurring monetary gifts for special occasions, such as birthdays, Christmas, graduation, etc., will be disregarded.

There is some income that is not currently being received by the assistance unit but is considered available:

A. Support from a spouse or parent (natural, adoptive, or stepparent) living in the home is assumed to be available to the spouse and dependent children under 21 who are also living in the home* (305.4 E. and F.) except that no part of an SSI or Auxiliary Grant payment or any income of a

*45 CFR 233.20(a)(3)(vi)

TANF Transmittal 66