department of health and social services
Division of Social Services
ORDER
errata
Please Note: Due to a publication error in the March issue of the Register, the following final regulation is being republished. Paragraph 14 showed an incorrect figure of $500,000. The correct figure is $5,000.00. The correct version is published below:
4002.5 Excluded Resources
The equity value of real and personal property owned by a family budget group cannot exceed $1,000.00. Resources excluded from the $1,000.00 resource limitation are:
1. The home which is the usual residence of the family budget group.
FOR DELAWARE’S TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM
2. Exclude the equity value of a primary automobile, up to the annually adjusted Food Stamp program's fair market value of vehicles which is excluded in determining the household resources. The excluded amount effective October 1996 is $4,650. The equity value is the difference between the automobile's fair market value and the amount still owed for it. The equity value in excess of $4,650.00 is counted towards the $1,000.00 resource limitation. The entire equity value of other automobiles owned by the individual is counted as a resource.
NOTE: The fair market value of an automobile is determined by finding the car's trade in value in the NADA Used Car Guide. If the client disagrees with this valuation, he/she may obtain a statement of the car's value from a automobile dealer.
FOR GENERAL ASSISTANCE
One automobile, the equity value of which does not exceed $1,500.00. The equity value is the difference between the automobile's fair market value and the amount still owed on it. The equity value in excess of $1,500.00 is counted towards the $1,000.00 resource limitation. The entire equity value of other automobiles owned by the individual is counted as a resource.
The increased value of a motor vehicle specially equipped with devices for the handicapped is not counted. Farm vehicles that are used to produce income are excluded from consideration as a resource.
3. One burial plot for each member of the assistance unit.
4. Bona fide funeral agreements (e.g., pre paid burial contracts) up to a total of $1,500.00 for each member of the budget group.
NOTE: If a funeral agreement valued in excess of $1,500.00 includes both prepaid burial expenses and a burial plot, the worker will require that the client provide an itemized statement of the estimated value of the plot and the expenses. The value of the burial plot is an excluded resource and will be considered separately from the value of the prepaid expenses.
5. Basic maintenance items essential for day-to-day living such as clothes, furniture, and other similarly essential items.
6. For a period not to exceed six months, real property that is not used as a residence (see DSSM 4002.6).
7. Tools and equipment necessary to produce income in a self employment enterprise, even if the owner is not engaged in business currently, but plans to continue it at a future date.
8. Federal major disaster and emergency assistance provided to individuals and families and comparable disaster assistance provided by State, local governments, and disaster assistance organizations under P.L. 100 707.
"Emergency" means any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.
"Major Disaster" means any natural catastrophe...which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance to supplement the efforts of available resources of states, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby.
9. Restitution made to United States' citizens and permanent resident aliens of Japanese ancestry who were interned during World War II pursuant to Title I of P.L. 100-383.
10. Restitution made by any Aleut who was relocated by authority of the United States from his or her home village on the Pribilof Islands or the Aleutian Islands during World War II pursuant to Title II of P.L. 100 383.
11. Payments made from the Agent Orange Settlement Fund or any other fund established pursuant to the settlement in the In Re Agent Orange product liability litigation, M.D.L. No. 381 (E.D.N.Y.).
12. Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), including Advance EITC.
Applicants:
Disregard as a resource EITC payments received in the month of application or in the month preceding the month of application. Any remaining EITC amounts received before this period are a resource.
Recipients:
Disregard as a resource for the month in which the EITC is received and the following month. After this period, any remaining amounts are a resource.
13. Cash Value of Life Insurance Policies
14. The designated Education and Business Investment Account (EBIA) is excluded up to the $5,000.00 maximum. In addition to the current resource limit, Delaware’s Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program (TANF” and General Assistance (GA) Program families will be allowed to establish special Education and Business Investment Accounts (EBIA) of up to $5,000.00, including interest.
Do not consider funds in such accounts as a resource for TANF, GA or Food Stamp purposes. Withdrawals from such accounts must be for approved purposes. If funds are withdrawn for non-approved purposes, count the money as a resource in the month received. Approved reasons for withdrawal of funds for self-sufficiency needs include education expenses, employment start-up needs, entrepreneurship, and to purchase a vehicle or home. If staff are unsure if the withdrawal meets an approved purpose, contact the policy unit for clarification.
Furthermore, a Saving for Education, Entrepreneurship and Downpayment (SEED) accounts is considered an EBIA account and is excluded up to the $5,000.00 limit
9 DE Reg. 1374 (03/01/06)
