Division of Community Nutrition

Subject: Gross Income Policy: CRT 05.2.2 Reference: N / A Effective: May 1, 2026 Supersedes: August 12, 2013

Page 1 of 2

I. Policy:

It is the policy of the Division of Community Nutrition that gross income must include items based on USDA guidelines.

II. Procedure(s):

A. Gross income includes the following:

1) Earnings from work:

a. Wages / salary / fees / tips / commissions / bonuses.

b. Net income from self-owned businesses or farm.

c. Severance pay.

d. Military-see CRT 05.2.4.

2) Public assistance, child support, and alimony payments.

3) Strike benefits, unemployment compensation, and worker’s compensation.

a. Accept self-declaration of striker status if it is known in the community that the individual’s workplace is on strike. Document in the participant’s file.

b. Income for strikers or unemployed people is based on the period of unemployment only

c. Request letter of unemployment for unemployed people. Scan in the participant’s record.

4) Pensions / Retirement / Social Security.

a. Pensions. b. Retirement income. c. Social Security. d. Supplemental Social Security (SSI) income. e. Veteran’s payments.

5) Other Income.

a. Disability payments for non-medical purposes.

b. Cash withdrawn from savings.

Division of Community Nutrition

Subject: Gross Income Policy: CRT 05.2.2 Reference: N / A Effective: May 1, 2026 Supersedes: August 12, 2013

Page 2 of 2

c. Interest / Dividends.

d. Income from Estates / Trusts / Investments.

e. Regular contributions from people who do not live in the household.

f. Net royalties / annuities / net rental income / net gambling and lottery winnings.

g. Inheritances.

h. Other cash income.

B. If an applicant / participant declares zero income, local agencies must determine how the applicant obtains basic living necessities such as food, shelter, medical care and clothing. If the applicant / participant has zero income with minimal or no resources, they are financially eligible upon verification by a reliable third party.

1) Instruct the applicant / participant to bring a written statement from a reliable third party that has knowledge of the applicant / participant’s income prior to final eligibility determination.

2) Reliable third parties include a social service agency, church, legal aid society, or employer.

3) Scan the written statement in the participant’s file.

4) Refer applicants/participants to appropriate programs for additional aid and assistance.