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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 4

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 74 Chapter 4 Income

When the AG is providing an in-kind payment instead of a cash payment, a deduction is only allowed when the original obligation is a cash payment. The AG must be otherwise obligated to make a cash payment, if the in-kind payment is not provided. In-Kind Payment Example 1: An AG is renting a house that needs repairs. The house normally rents for $450 a month. The landlord has agreed to allow the AG to make repairs to the home in lieu of making a rent payment for six months. The AG is entitled to a $450 rent deduction for six months. In-Kind Payment Example 2: Same situation as above, except that the landlord has agreed to allow the AG to make repairs to the home in lieu of part of the rent for 12 months. The AG must make a cash payment of $225 a month and make repairs for the remaining $225 a month. The AG is entitled to a $450 rent deduction for 12 months. In-Kind Payment Example 3: An AG is renting a room in an elderly woman’s home. In exchange for rent, the AG is expected to provide housekeeping, lawn care, and meal preparation for the woman. No cash value was assigned to this obligation. The AG is not required to make a cash payment in lieu of these responsibilities. The AG is not entitled to a shelter deduction because the only rental obligation is an in-kind payment. Shelter Deduction Example 1: An eligible college student uses a portion of his educational grants and loans in August to pay his rent through the end of the semester. His rent is used as a shelter deduction as it would be due during the certification period. Shelter Deduction Example 2: An eligible college student’s parents pay his rent during the school term. His rent is not used as a deduction because he is not obligated to pay it. His parents do not pay his rent during the summer. He may receive a deduction during the summer because he is obligated to pay the rent. The AG may still be eligible for a deduction if the home is not occupied by the SNAP AG because of employment or training away from home, illness, or disaster/casualty loss of an AG or non-AG member. The deduction is allowed, if the AG remains responsible for the shelter and/or utility costs, and the home is not leased or rented during this time. The AG must intend to return to the home, and the current occupants of the house, if any, must not be claiming the shelter costs for SNAP purposes. Homeless AGs who use the Homeless Shelter Standard Deduction are not eligible for the SUA and an additional shelter deduction. AGs with shelter expenses, (i.e., rent and mortgage), for both occupied and unoccupied homes may use the obligations for both homes as a deduction.