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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 4

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 75 Chapter 4 Income

When the client claims expenses for his home as a self-employment expense, the deduction can be either a shelter deduction or a cost of doing business, but the total deduction given must not exceed the actual expense. See Ineligibility for The Heating/Cooling Standard (HCS) below. 4.4.2.C Shelter Expenses Items considered in arriving at shelter expenses are the continuing amounts of: • Rent. Security or damage deposits are not shelter expenses. • Mortgage payments. This includes second mortgages and home equity loans and any other loans for which the dwelling is used as collateral. • Interest on mortgage payments. • Condominium and association fees, regardless of purpose for the fees. • Payments to an escrow account established to pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. • Property taxes and special tax assessments on the structure and lot required by State or local law. This does not include assessments such as police and fire fees, unless the fee is based on property valuation. • Insurance on the structure and lot. This does not include insurance on furniture or personal belongings. If the insurance cost on the structure and the cost on the personal belongings/furniture cannot be identified separately, the entire insurance payment is allowed. • Cost of repairing the home that was damaged or destroyed due to a natural disaster or misfortune including, but not limited to, fire, flood, or freezing temperatures. This does not include charges that will be or have been reimbursed from any source such as insurance, private agency, etc. • A car payment when a homeless AG lives in their vehicle. • Insurance on the vehicle itself when a homeless AG lives in their vehicle. NOTE: A shelter cost paid in advance, but billed and/or due during the certification period, is used as a deduction.