602-2 B.     EXEMPT RESOURCES

The following items are not included when determining the value of a household's countable resources.

1. Home

The home occupied by the household and the surrounding property that is not separated from the home by intervening property owned by others. Public rights of way, such as roads that run through the surrounding property and separate it from the home, will not affect the exemption of the property.  

Note: 

If a household owns two adjoining properties, the properties are considered two separate properties, unless the property taxes for each property are combined to one lot. 

The home and surrounding property shall remain exempt when temporarily unoccupied for reasons of employment, training for future employment, illness, or being uninhabitable due to casualty or natural disaster if the household intends to return. Households that currently do not own a home, but own or are purchasing a lot on which they intend to build or are building a permanent home, will have the value of the lot and, if partially completed, the home excluded. Only one lot is excluded under this provision.

2. Personal Effects

Personal effects (clothing, jewelry, etc.), and household goods (furniture, appliances, etc.) are exempt.  Utility trailers (a small non-motorized vehicle which is used for the hauling of light loads, such as snow machines, ATV's, boats, horses, etc.), vehicle shells/toppers, detached engines and outboard motors are considered personal effects and are exempt.

3. Burial Plots/Life Insurance

One burial plot per household member is exempt.  The cash value of life insurance policies is exempt.

4. Retirement Funds

Retirement funds are annuities or work-related plans for providing income when employment ends.  They include such items as pension, disability, or deferred compensation plans administered by an employer or union.  They also include funds held in individual retirement accounts (IRA) and plans for self-employed persons, sometimes call Keogh plans.

Retirement funds fall into two general categories:

• Retirement Savings Accounts, which are owned and can be accessed by the individual; and
• Pension Plans, which are established by an employer.

Retirement Savings Accounts

Retirement savings accounts are individually owned, and money may be deposited and withdrawn at will.   These funds are exempt as long as they remain in the account, regardless of an individual's employment status or the availability of the funds. These accounts include:

1. Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAIndividual Retirement Accounts);
2. Keogh plans;
3. Simplified Employer Pension Plans (SEPs), which are considered IRAIndividual Retirement Accounts by banks and the IRSInternal Revenue Service ;
4. Any funds in a plan, contract, or account, described in sections 401(a), 403(a), 408, and 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Pension Plans

Pension plans (including PERSPublic Employees' Retirement System and SBSSupplemental Benefits System ) that are established by an employer are exempt regardless of an individual's employment status.  These types of plans include:

1. 457(b) deferred compensation plans.

2. 401(k) plans (generally a cash-or-deferred arrangement and generally limited to profit-making firms);
3. Federal Employee Thrift Savings plan;
4. Section 403(b) plans (tax-sheltered annuities provided for employees of tax-exempt organizations and state and local educational organizations); and
5. Section 501(c)(18) plans (retirement plans for union members consisting of employee contributions to certain trusts that were established before June 1959).

Deferred Compensation Plans

Deferred compensation plans are evaluated based on whether the individual can access the funds while still employed with the employer that established the account.

If the individual can access the funds while still employed, the deferred compensation plan is considered available and countable.

For other deferred compensation plans, such as the one offered by the State of Alaska, the individual may not withdraw the funds while still employed. Such plans are treated as pension plans.

If an individual is no longer working for the employer who established the deferred compensation plan, it is an available, countable resource.

Value of Retirement Funds

The value of any retirement fund is the account balance minus any expected penalties or fees for withdrawal.

Retirement Accounts Excluded from Resources by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008

5. Livestock

Livestock that are pets or are used to produce income is exempt.

6. Income Producing Property

Property producing income consistent with its fair market value is exempt even if used on a seasonal basis.  This means that the property (e.g. land, rental housing, fishing boat) would be producing income consistent with the income produced by similar property in the area.

Income producing property will also be excluded when there are circumstances beyond the household's control why the property has not produced income for a period of time and the household anticipates the property will produce income in the future.  Document the reasons the property is excluded.

Note:

The income producing property resource exemption is specifically for clients that are involved in self-employment.  If the client is not self-employed as described in SNAP MS 605-2D, then the property cannot be exempted as income producing.

7. Self-employment Assets

Assets essential to self-support (tools of a tradesman, machinery, livestock, farmland, commercial fishing boat, commercial fishing permit) are exempt.  Property essential to a fishing or farming self-employment operation will continue to be excluded for one year from the date the self-employed fisher person or farmer ends his fishing/farming business.

8. Inaccessible Resources

The cash value of resources not accessible to the household is exempt, such as, but not limited to:

1. Property against which a lien that prohibits the sale of the property has been placed to provide collateral for a business loan;
2. Property in probate;
3. Security deposits on rental property;
4. Irrevocable trust funds. Any funds in a trust or transferred to a trust, and the income produced by that trust, is considered inaccessible to the household to the extent it is not available to the household if:

• The trustee administering the funds is either a court, or an institution, corporation, or organization which is not under the direction or ownership of any household member; or an individual appointed by the court who has court imposed limitations placed on his/her use of the funds; and 
• The trust investments do not directly involve or assist any business or corporation under the control or influence of a household member; and
• The trust arrangement will not likely cease during the certification period; and
• No household member has the power to revoke the trust arrangement or change the name of the beneficiary during the certification period; and
• The funds held in irrevocable trust are established from either:

1. The household's own funds, if the trustee uses the funds solely to make investments on behalf of the trust or to pay the educational or medical expenses of any person named by the household creating the trust; or
2. Non-household funds by a non-household member.

Medicaid Qualifying Trusts approved by the State of Alaska Division of Public Assistance are exempt resources for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program purposes.  

5. A Limited Entry Fishing Permit that Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFECCommercial Fisheries Entry Commission) has classified as non-transferable has no value.  These permits are valid for the permit holder’s  lifetime, as long as they are renewed each year, but they cannot be transferred or sold.
6. A dedicated account is an account set up with past due SSISupplemental Security Income payments made on or after August 23, 1996 for SSISupplemental Security Income recipients under the age of 18. Funds in a dedicated account are not available to meet the daily basic needs of the recipient.  Use of the funds in the account is restricted to treatment, equipment, and accommodations related to the child’s disability.  Funds in a dedicated account are not a countable resource.  (For more information on dedicated accounts please see APA MS 432-4 A)
   
   Verification that a resource is inaccessible is not required unless the information provided by the household is questionable.

9. Federal Housing Payments

Reimbursements from the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Act of 1970 are exempt.

10. Government Disaster Relief

Governmental payments by HUDHousing and Urban Development or the Small Business Administration designated for the restoration of a home damaged in a disaster are exempt. This exemption only applies to households subject to legal sanctions if funds are not used as intended.

11. Native Restricted Land

Certain Native Americans may hold land either individually within a rural area or community, or jointly with their tribe or others in their community.  These lands are an exempt resource if they can be classified as Native Restricted Deeds, meaning they cannot be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of without permission from other individuals, the land-holder’s tribe, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  Any house or other structure that is permanently attached to restricted deed land is also exempt, even if it is not used as a home.

Note:

Verification of Native Restricted Deed status is required.  In Alaska, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is the agency that keeps records of Native Restricted Deeds.  Verification may also be available from deeds, tax assessor's records, recorder's office, realtors or real estate agents, mortgage or escrow documents, or signed surveyors records or reports.

12. Dingle Act Lands

Certain Alaska Native Americans who served in the Armed Forces during the period between August 5, 1964, and December 31, 1971 and haven't received a Native Allotment may receive up to 160 acres in Alaska from the Dingell Act.  This land is an exempt resource.

13. Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act) Assets

The following items are excluded as resources:

1. Alaska Native Fund Distributions
   
   Distributions from the original Alaska Native Fund are excluded from resources regardless of the amount distributed.
2. Stock
   
   Any stock issued or distributed by an ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation (including stock issued as a dividend or distribution on stock) is excluded from resources.
3. Partnership Interests
   
   A partnership interest received from an ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation is excluded from resources.  However, income received as a result of a partnership interest is treated as a cash distribution.  See (f) below.
4. Land
   
   Any land or any interest in land received from an ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation (including any land or any interest in land received as a dividend or distribution on stock) is excluded from resources.  This includes any land or interest in land inherited by a descendant.  Any house or other structure that is permanently attached to the land is also excluded, even if it is not used as a home.
5. Interest in a Settlement Trust
   
   Any interest in a settlement trust received from an ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporation is excluded from resources.
6. Cash Distributions
   
   Any cash distributions (including cash dividends on stock) received from ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporations are excluded from resources.   For the purpose of this exclusion, cash distributions from ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporations are distributions that are made to a class of individuals, such as all shareholders, or all elders.  Cash distributions do not include cash payments that are made to individuals or households for a specific purpose such as wages, a door prize, or a general assistance payment from the corporation.
   
   This exclusion does not apply to any funds received as a result of the investment or deposit of an individual's ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act  payments after they are distributed to the shareholders.
   
   If the household uses a cash distribution to buy items like a boat, vehicle, or real property, these items must be examined to determine if they are exempt for reasons identified elsewhere in this section.  If the item is not exempt, it must be counted when determining the household's total available resources.  Exempt ANCSAAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act cash distributions that are kept in a separate account containing only exempt monies retain their resource exemption indefinitely.

14. Real Property up for Sale

Real property that the household is making a good faith effort to sell at a reasonable price is exempt. Real property is land and permanent attachments to land such as minerals and timber, also structures and improvements erected on and affixed to the land such as houses, barns, garages, etc.  Personal property, such as vehicles and fishing permits, cannot be excluded under this provision.

Examples of acceptable forms of listings are websites, newspaper ads, bulletin board posting's, realtor listings, etc. With technology changing at a rapid pace, and will be constantly throughout the years, internet sites such as Craigslist, Sell.com, and other ad listing websites are acceptable forms of good faith efforts to sell. The caseworker will need to use PPJPrudent Person Judgement in researching ads on internet sites and checking how actively the client is pursuing the sale of the property at application and recertification. It is also recommended that a hard copy of the ad be printed out and kept in the case file.

15. Installment Contracts

Installment contracts for the sale of land or buildings are exempt, provided the contract produces income consistent with its fair market value.  The income produced by these contracts is countable unearned income in the month received.

16. WICWomen, Infant, and Children Food Program - Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children

Benefits from WICWomen, Infant, and Children Food Program , a special supplemental food program, are exempt.  

17. Grand River Band of Ottawa Indian Income

Income from the disposition of funds to the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians is exempt.

18. Prorated Income for Students or Self-employment

Resources of students or self-employed persons counted as income and prorated over the period of intended use are exempt.

19. Federal/State Heating Assistance Payments

Any federal or state heating assistance payments are exempt.

20. HUD Retroactive Tax and Utility Payments

HUD retroactive tax and utility cost subsidy payments for the month in which payment was received and for the following month are exempt.  After the above period, any remaining portion of the payment will be treated as a resource.

21. Vehicles

Most vehicles are exempt as addressed at MS 602-2C.

22. Property for Vehicle Maintenance and Use

Property, real or personal, is exempt provided it is directly related to the maintenance or use of a vehicle excluded as a resource because it is used primarily for income producing purposes.  Only that portion of real property determined necessary for maintenance or use is excludable.  For example, a household owns a produce truck and that truck cannot be parked in a residential area.  The household owns a one-acre field and uses a quarter acre to park/service the truck.  The value of the quarter acre would be excludable.

23. World War II Restitution Funds

Any funds retained from restitution payments made by the U.S.United States Government to individual Japanese-Americans and to Aleuts (or, if deceased, payments made to their survivors) who were interned or relocated during World War II are excluded from resources under Public Law 100-383.  Restitution payments paid to individual Japanese-Canadians who were interned or relocated during World War II by the Canadian Government are also excluded from resources.

This exclusion also applies to any funds received as a result of the investment or deposit of a restitution payment to eligible Aleuts.

However, any payments subsequently received and retained from a trust established by the Secretary of the Interior appropriated for Aleut residents are counted as a resource.  The trustees may use the principal, accrued interest and other earnings for the benefit of the elderly, disabled, seriously ill, students in need of scholarships, the preservation of Aleut cultural heritage and historical records, the improvement of community centers in affected Aleut villages and other purposes to improve conditions of Aleut life.

24. Agent Orange Settlement Payments

Any funds retained from Agent Orange settlement payments are excluded from resources under Public Law 101-201 and 101-239.  Distribution of Agent Orange settlement payments began in March 1989 and ended in 1994. Qualifying veterans received at least one payment a year for the life of the program.  Qualifying survivors of deceased veterans received a single lump sum payment.

Any funds received as a result of the investment or deposit of Agent Orange settlement payments are not excluded from resources. See MS 602-3B(2).

25. Resources Held by TANFTemporary Assistance for Needy Families, SSISupplemental Security Income, and APAAdult Public Assistance Recipients

Resources held by recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANFTemporary Assistance for Needy Families), including the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program) and the Native Family Assistance Program are exempt.  Resources held by recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSISupplemental Security Income) are exempt.  Resources held by recipients of the State of Alaska Adult Public Assistance Program, including Aid to the Disabled, Aid to the Blind, and Old Age Assistance, but not including recipients of Interim Assistance benefits are exempt.

The resources held must be solely owned by the TANFTemporary Assistance for Needy Families, SSISupplemental Security Income, or APAAdult Public Assistance recipient.  If the resources are jointly owned by another SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program household member that is not receiving TANFTemporary Assistance for Needy Families, SSISupplemental Security Income, or APAAdult Public Assistance, the resources are countable to the SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program household.  If the countable resources exceed the resource limit, the entire household would be determined ineligible due to exceeding the SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program resource limit.

Note:

Resources solely owned by the TANFTemporary Assistance for Needy Families, SSISupplemental Security Income, or APAAdult Public Assistance recipient are no longer considered exempt if the recipient is ineligible for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program due to a drug related felony as explained in SNAP MS 602-1A(5)(g), or a felon convicted of sexual abuse, murder, sexual exploitation and abuse of children, or sexual assault as explained in SNAP MS 602-1A(5)(h).

26. Resources Excluded by Federal Law

Resources excluded by federal law.  A partial listing of these resources is at Addendum 5 to this manual.

27. Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCEarned Income Tax Credits)

Retained federal earned income tax credit payments are excluded for the month of receipt and the following month.  Retained earned income tax credit payments from any source (federal, state, local) are excluded up to one year from the date of receipt if the payments were received at the time the person also received SNAP.  This resource exclusion is allowed up to 12 months, provided the person continues to receive SNAP.  Refer to MS 602-2A(4) for procedures to follow when excluded funds are commingled with countable resources.

28. Resources that Cannot be Sold for a Significant Return

Non-liquid resources with an equity value of $1500 or less are exempt.  This policy shall not apply to liquid resources such as stocks, bonds or negotiable financial instruments.

29. Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Payments

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act provides compensation to individuals who develop illnesses as a result of employment at certain federally owned facilities in which radioactive materials were used. These payments, if retained, are exempt resources.

30.  Victims of Crimes Compensation Payments

Monies retained from payments received from a fund established by a State to aid victims of crimes are exempt as a resource.

31.  College Savings Plans

Funds held in 529Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code College Savings Plans are exempt as long as they remain in the account, regardless of an individual's student status or the availability of the funds.

Funds withdrawn from the savings plan for purposes outside of qualified education expenses such as tuition, fees, books, school supplies, equipment, computers, and room and board are considered a non-recurring lump sum payment as defined in SNAP MS 602-3D(13). The withdrawal, minus the penalty amount, would count as a resource in the month of receipt. If retained, it could cause continued resource ineligibility. 

32.  Income Tax Returns

Federal income tax returns received after December 31, 2009 are exempt as a resource for 12 months from receipt. Exclude the federal tax return from assets by subtracting any tax return received by the household in the last 12 months from the household’s liquid resources.

33.  Cobell v. Salazar Settlement Payments

Settlement payments resulting from the Cobell v. Salazar class action lawsuit are exempt as a resource for 12 months from the date of receipt.

34.  ABLE (Achieving A Better Life Experience) Accounts

An ABLEAcheiving a Better Life Experience account  is a tax-advantaged account for eligible beneficiaries with a disability onset date before their 26th birthday.  Money deposited into an ABLE account and any distribution from an ABLEAcheiving a Better Life Experience account for qualified disability expenses will not be counted as either income or a resource for SNAP.  (For additional information see APA MS 433-4.)

35.  Health Savings Account (HSA)

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-sheltered trust account owned by the user for the purpose of paying qualified medical expenses for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents.  Generally, HSAHealth Savings Accounts are countable resources for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because individuals may use funds to pay for expenses unrelated to their medical needs.  However, if the HSAHealth Savings Account trustee has set restrictions on the HSAHealth Savings Account so the individual can only use the funds for qualified medical expenses, and nothing else, the HSAHealth Savings Account will be exempt.