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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 5

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 20 Chapter 5 Assets

EXCEPTION: For SSI Medicaid Groups: Cash or in-kind items received from any source, such as, but not limited to, insurance companies, federal or State agencies, public or private organizations or other individuals, to replace or repair an excluded asset that is lost, stolen, or damaged, and any interest earned on such cash payments, are not counted as an asset for nine months, beginning with the month the cash or in-kind item is received, as long as the client states he intends to replace the asset. If he does not intend to replace the asset, the proceeds received are counted as an asset the month following the month of receipt. Any of the cash and interest that has not been used to repair or replace the excluded asset, after the nine-month period expires, is counted as an asset beginning the following month.

The initial nine-month period may be extended up to an additional nine months, for a total of up to 18 months, if it can be determined the client had good cause for not replacing or repairing the asset. The client is determined to have good cause when circumstances beyond his control prevented the repair, replacement, or the contracting for the repair or replacement of the asset. When an extension is allowed, the unused cash and interest are counted as assets, beginning the month after the good cause extension period ends.

In the event of a presidentially-declared disaster, the 18-month period can be extended for up to an additional 12 months, for a maximum asset exclusion period of 30 months, if:

• The excluded asset is geographically within the disaster area as defined in the presidential order; • The individual intends to repair or replace the excluded asset; and • The individual presents evidence of good cause as defined above.

When the client changes his intent to repair or replace the excluded asset, funds previously held for replacement or repair must be counted as an asset effective the first moment of the month following the month the client reports the change of intent.

The cash or in-kind item(s) that is received to replace or repair non-excluded assets, or for personal injury or other purposes, is not excluded, even if the cash or in-kind item is received in conjunction with, and/or from, the same source as the cash or in-kind item intended to replace or repair an excluded asset.