This memo provides information on four topics found in State Letter 1247 that impact EA eligibility. State Letter 1247 is effective February 3, 2003. 1. SSI income is now countable income for EA purposes 2. Additional 30 days of shelter when income exceeds EA Eligibility Standard 3. Relationship to the needy child changes 4. 12-month rule changes

EA regulations have been revised to allow an EA AU who becomes financially ineligible because the family’s income exceeds the EA Eligibility Standard to continue receiving shelter benefits for a period of six months from the date the EA Eligibility Standard was exceeded. During the six months the EA AU may become ineligible for another reason.

The FY06 budget has been approved. As a result, effective July 1, 2005, the EA Eligibility Standard has been increased to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. As of July 26, 2005, the July 1, 2005 EA Eligibility Standard was used in the EBC in BEACON for applications and reevaluations.

The 2008 Health and Human Services (HHS) Poverty Guidelines were published in the Federal Register on 1/23/2008.  The HHS Poverty Guideline is used to calculate the eligibility standards in the following programs:  TAFDC: Income from the Parent(s) of a Teen Parent Under Age 18 (200 percent of poverty guideline);EA Eligibility Standard (130 percent of poverty guideline); and Food Stamps: Gross Monthly Categorical Eligibility Income Standards (200 percent of poverty guideline).  

When re-evaluating eligibility of an EA assistance unit, the TAFDC $148.50 in-kind deduction for free shelter will not be used in determining financial eligibility.

Explains that rebates are noncountable income but are counted as assets under cash and Food Stamp programs, and the differences in how they are counted as assets in the different programs.

The Unemployment Insurance Inquiry screen lists regular and extended UI benefits. TAFDC, EAEDC, and EA clients who may be eligible for extended UI must apply for it. SNAP/Food Stamps  clients should be encouraged to apply for them.

Guidelines on when employee "flex accounts" are countable as income and when they are not countable as income.

FS: recertification of NPA AU's associated with TAFDC AU's; UI compensation is counted gross for all programs; procedures for placing pregnant homeless teens who do or do not receive TAFDC.

Leased vehicles not countable; treatment of tax refunds and EIC; TAFDC: how many pay stubs to use to calculate financial eligibility for extension for recipient who has just started working; FS: when to start counting ineligibility period for voluntary quit prior to application; FS: 60 days of job search counts for 12 calendar months regardless of whether case closes and reopens;  TAFDC: Sponsor deeming.

EA: count gross earned income plus cash benefits; AFDC rent allowance for people living in subsidized mortgage buildings if no Sec. 8 or MRVP in use; AFDC: Uniform Gift to Minors funds not countable; alien sponsor deeming.

TAFDC: temporary absence of child placed in foster care; EA: lump sum received prior to application; FS: eligibility of individual wearing prison bracelet.

FS: categorical eligibility based on receipt of income-eligible child care; FS: not categorically eligible based on TANF receipt in another state; Funeral benefits-- no reimbursement; All programs: Unemployment compensation counted in gross amount.