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For Medicaid eligibility determinations, all normal spousal impoverishment rules regarding income and asset allocations for a community spouse are applicable to married couples who reside in a CCRC or Life Care Community, when one spouse resides in the skilled nursing care section of the facility and the other spouse (the community spouse) resides in a more independent living setting. CCRC and Life Care Community contracts are required by federal law to account for spousal impoverishment income and asset allocations to a community spouse before determining the amount of resources that a resident must spend on his or her own care. 16.7.7 Income Tax Refunds and Credits Disregard all federal income tax refunds and credits for 12 months following the month of receipt. If there is a remaining, unspent portion of the refund or credit after the 12-month disregard period has passed, count that portion as an available asset. All state income tax refunds and credits are considered available assets starting in the month after the month of receipt. 16.7.8 Earned Income and Child Tax Credits Disregard all EITC and Child Tax Credits, including advance payments of these credits, in the month received and for 12 months following the month of receipt. After the 12-month disregard period has passed, count any remaining EITC or Child Tax Credit payments as available, non-exempt assets. 16.7.9 Vehicles (Automobiles) Vehicle refers to any registered or unregistered vehicle used for transportation. Vehicles used for transportation include, but are not limited to, cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and snowmobiles. 16.7.9.1 Determining Equity Value Equity value is: • The vehicle's wholesale value as given in a standard guide on motor vehicle values (blue book) or the value as estimated by a sales representative at a local dealership. • Minus any encumbrances (loans or mortgages) that are recorded on the vehicle’s title as liens. Do not increase a vehicle's value by adding the value of low mileage or other factors, such as optional equipment or apparatus for the handicapped. Occasionally, a vehicle has more than one owner. Some of the owners may be in the FTG while others may not. To find what the FTG’s equity value in the vehicle is, do the following: 1. Find the vehicle’s wholesale value. 2. Subtract the encumbrances (loans or mortgages) that are recorded as liens on the vehicle’s title. The result is the equity value. 3. Divide the equity value by the total number of owners. 4. Add the prorated equity values of the owners who are in the FTG. The result is the FTG’s equity value in the vehicle. 16.7.9.2 When to Count, When to Exempt Count vehicle values as follows: