Effective Date - January 1, 2009

801                 Countable Assets

SNAP - 7 CFR 273.8, .11; P.L.’s in Sec. 1000; ARW, Chapt.1, Section 4

A.    Determine whose assets are countable to the assistance unit:

1.    Consider available assets of all assistance unit members as countable to the other assistance unit members;

2.    Consider the POWER/POWER-SASFA, Tribal TANF and/or SSI recipient asset eligible and exempt the individual’s assets due to categorical eligibility (see Section 502);

3.    See Section 507 for treatment of assets of an excluded, sanctioned or disqualified individual.

POWER - W.S. 42-2-109, W.S. 42-2-202

B.    Consider for assistance units living together in the same household the assets of:

1.    A spouse are available to the spouse; and

2.    A parent are available to a child through age 18, or up to age 19 if expected to graduate, except when the minor is emancipated;

3.    See Section 507 for additional information on treatment of assets for excluded individuals.

Child Care - No requirement

SNAP - 7 CFR 273.8; ARW, Chapt. 1, Section 4

POWER - W.S. 42-2-109, W.S. 42-2-202

C.   Use the cash, trade-in or fair market value, less the unpaid principal or legal encumbrances to determine the equity value of the nonexempt asset which is then used to determine eligibility.

D.   Require the applicant or recipient to obtain appraisals when the value of the asset(s) causes ineligibility and is disputed by the applicant or recipient.

E.    DO NOT exempt the asset when exempt and nonexempt funds are commingled . 

1. Encourage the assistance unit to separate the exempt and nonexempt assets;

2. Continue to exempt, for SNAP purposes only, the self- employment funds (see Section 903) over the period of intended use, the commingled educational funds (see Section 505) for six months and all other exempt funds for six months.

Child Care - No requirement

POWER - W.S. 42-2-109, W.S. 42-2-202

F.    Evaluate the assets as of the first moment of the first day of each month:

1. DO NOT count income as an asset in the same month it is used as income;

2.    Consider assets acquired, or that increase in value, during the month to be an asset, but do not establish an overpayment when it could not be reasonably expected to be received;

3.    Evaluate assets acquired or that increase in value during the month as of the first moment of the following month;

4. Consider any outstanding checks as a legal encumbrance when evaluating the checking account.

SNAP - 7 CFR 273.8, .10

G.    Consider only the available assets at the time of the interview when determining eligibility for the month of application.

1.   Evaluate assets acquired or that increase in value during the month as of the first moment of the following month;

2.   Consider assets acquired, or that increase in value, during the month to be an asset but do not establish an overpayment when it could not be reasonably expected to be received, including a lump sum;

3.   DO NOT count income as an asset in the same month it is used as income;

4.   Consider any outstanding checks as a legal encumbrance when evaluating the checking account;

5.   No further consideration is given to assets unless the household anticipates it will go over the asset limit in a future month of the certification period, or

6.   The household reports assets in excess of the limit.