§ 2.102.100. General relief—Eligibility—Income limitations.

A.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any income of a general relief applicant or recipient, whether cash, in-kind benefits or any other resources, shall be deducted from the monthly general relief basic budget for such person, and if such income equals or exceeds such basic budget, then such person shall be ineligible for general relief. No person shall be eligible for general relief who fails or refuses to apply for and take advantage of all potential income, including, but not limited to, social security benefits, veterans' benefits, pensions, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance benefits.

B.

(1) If an applicant has received any lump-sum amount, including, but not limited to, litigation awards, insurance settlements, and social security benefits, such person shall be ineligible for general relief if the lump-sum amount on the day of the application, combined with the value of the individual's other resources, exceeds the applicable general relief resource limit.

(2)

If a recipient receives any lump-sum amount, including but not limited to, litigation awards, insurance settlements, and social security benefits, such person shall be ineligible for general relief if the lump-sum amount, as reported by the recipient in the applicable report month, combined with the value of the recipient's other resources, exceeds the applicable general relief resource limit.

C.

If an applicant receives earnings from part-time employment, the following deductions, whenever appropriate, shall be made from such earnings in computing such person's income: federal and state income taxes, social security, mandatory retirement contributions, mandatory union dues, transportation costs if required by employment, cost of maintenance of trade tools if required by employment, and other necessary deductions approved by the department. As used in this subsection, the term "part-time employment" means employment for less than 100 hours per month.

D.

In-kind transportation provided to an applicant or recipient for attending family emergencies involving critical illness or death shall be exempt from consideration as income.

E.

The portion of an educational grant, scholarship or other education stipend provided to an applicant or recipient which is used solely for tuition, books or educational fees shall be exempt from consideration as income, provided that the educational program is funded by the State Department of Rehabilitation, the Federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, or other programs approved by the director.

F.

The portion of any loan which is used solely to meet the food, housing, or personal-care needs of an applicant and which is received by such applicant during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date of application for general relief, or during the period when the application is pending, shall be exempt from consideration as income to such applicant, provided that such portion of such loan shall be exempt only up to the general relief basic budget amount for the particular need item for which it is used.

G.

Mortgage loans and rent subsidies, up to a reasonable amount to be determined by the director, which are received by an applicant or recipient from any governmental or nonprofit agency shall be exempt from consideration as income.

H.

The director may exempt from consideration as income any funds or in-kind benefits provided to, or on behalf of, an applicant or recipient or any member of such person's family residing with such person, from any utility assistance program approved by the director.

I.

The director shall exempt from consideration as income the monthly gross earned income of a recipient as follows:

1.

100 percent of the first $200.00;

2.

80 percent of the amount between $201.00 and $300.00;

3.

60 percent of the amount between $301.00 and $400.00;

4.

40 percent of the amount between $401.00 and $500.00;

5.

20 percent of the amount between $501.00 and $600.00.

The term "earned income" means wages, earnings or income, received by the recipient as payment for the recipient's labor.

J.

The director may exempt from consideration as income any funds or in-kind benefits provided to a recipient or any member of such person's family residing with such person, for participation in an educational or employment-related program which has been approved by the board of supervisors.

K.

Earned income tax credits received by an applicant or recipient shall be exempt from consideration as income.

(Ord. 2007-0113 § 1, 2007: Ord. 2000-0041 § 2, 2000: Ord. 94-0067 § 1, 1994: Ord. 94-0022 § 2, 1994: Ord. 86-0123 § 1, 1986: Ord. 83-0033 § 1, 1983; Ord. 83-0033U § 1, 1983; Ord. 82-0203 § 1 (part), 1982: Ord. 12327 § 1 (part), 1981: Ord. 11983 § 1 (part), 1979: Ord. 4099 Art. 9-B § 160.9, 1942.)