Page 46

PY26 WHEAP Manual

45 Revised: August 2025 c. SSI: The SSI category includes the Caretaker Supplement Income (Caretaker Supplement is abbreviated as CTS or C-Sup). d. If some, but not all, of the household members (including ineligible non-citizens) are recipients of W-2/TANF, FoodShare, or SSI for the prior month test period, the household is not categorically eligible. e. If the household member(s) is a recipient of W-2/TANF, FoodShare, or SSI and does not have a first-of-the-month effective date for receiving program benefits, do not consider him/her categorically eligible. The recipient must receive the benefits for the entire month. NOTE: Receipt of Social Security Retirement benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cannot be used to establish categorical eligibility.

3.3.2 Counting Income Determine the income amounts consistent with the test period and the type of income. 1. Test Period

The test period is the time frame during which income is counted to determine eligibility. The time frame varies by income type. For most individuals with an income source, the test period is based on gross income received during the prior month. The test period may also be based on gross income received during the previous tax year. WHEAP agencies may accept a W-2 form issued by the current employer as verification. Agencies shall review the applicant’s income and work history to determine if a W-2 is the best option to use to verify household income. If a W-2 is used, apply the amount reported in Box 5, divide by 12, and enter for the prior month test period. When households receive an extra check from wage income in the test period, workers shall ignore the first check received. See Section 3.3.9, Table 3.6: Ignored Income Types.

The test period can also be based on gross income received during the 12 months prior to the date of the application, or the previous tax year for income types such as interest, dividends, annuity, tribal per capita payments, seasonal worker income, and self- employment income.

If the household’s prior month income exceeds the WHEAP eligibility limit and the household’s financial circumstances have recently changed (due to divorce, loss of a job, accident, etc.), agencies may use the present month as the income test period. The prior month income shall be documented with an HE+ System Note and with verification documents uploaded to the application. If the test period is the present month, agencies shall estimate the income based on information provided by the household using the Present Month Income Attestation Form. 2. General Guideline

Count all gross income received by all household members on the date of application for the appropriate test period. For self-employment income and seasonal wages, see the specific directions in the following sections.

Do not count or enter earned income for minors under the age of 18 (or full-time high school students) at the time of the application. If a minor has unearned income (SS, SSDI,