Page 539
West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 4
West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 67 Chapter 4 Income
Child support paid to a child support agency and retained by the agency is deducted, even when the individual who pays the support resides with the person to whom the payment would customarily be paid. When the AG member pays the support to the agency and it is forwarded to an individual who resides in the same household, a deduction is not given. ➢ Child Support Examples Example 1: An AG member has a court order to pay $150 per month child support and he verifies only $50 per month in payments. His child support deduction is $50. Example 2: An AG member has a court order to pay $100 per month child support and to provide medical coverage available through his employer. He did not make a payment for 10 months and owes $1,000 in arrearages. His employer deducts $100 per month child support, $50 per month for arrearages, and $25 per month for medical insurance for the child. His child support deduction is $175. Example 3: Same situation as above, except the order requires $50 per month alimony and $100 per month rent to his ex-wife’s landlord, which the court order stipulates is part of his child support obligation. The child support deduction is $275. No deduction is given for the alimony. When the child support amount paid each month varies, a minimum three-month total is averaged to project payments over the certification period. When the payment record is less than three months, the deduction is based on anticipated payments, including arrearage. For child support paid by disqualified individuals, see Deeming in Section 4.4.4.H. 4.4.2.B.5 Homeless Shelter Standard Deduction This deduction may be applied when a homeless AG incurs any shelter/utility expenses for the month. Homeless AGs that receive free housing and utilities throughout the month are not eligible for the deduction. However, if they incur any shelter or utility expense, regardless of the amount, any time during the month, they qualify for the Homeless Shelter Standard Deduction. See Appendix B. Any shelter expenses reported by the homeless individual must be verified at a minimum at application and redetermination, or when a change of shelter is reported.