Rules for Counting Income EAEDC

To determine the eligibility and the grant amount for an assistance unit, the income of the filing unit must be considered.  (See Verification of Income for explanations of assistance units and filing units.)

Generally, income that is countable in determining whether an assistance unit is eligible for EAEDC is also countable in determining the amount of the grant.  All countable income of a member of the filing unit shall be considered in determining benefits for the assistance unit.

Those persons who must be in the filing unit include those who would be in the assistance unit and eligible to receive EAEDC, but have failed to fulfill an eligibility requirement, or have been sanctioned, or have failed to cooperate. Here are some examples of individuals who are also included:

  • those who would have been eligible for EAEDC but have been sanctioned
  • those having a court conviction for fraud
  • those who are fleeing to avoid prosecution, capture or confinement for a felony or attempt on or after 9/26/1996
  • parole or probation violators on or after 9/26/1996, and
  • those with an outstanding default or arrest warrant issued by a court of the Commonwealth

There are several exceptions to the usual method of counting income. These exceptions are explained with more detail in other chapters of this book. 

  • Income from a person, who has a legal obligation to support an EAEDC client, is deemed to the assistance unit. See Deemed Income
  • A payment that represents accumulated recurring income, such as a retroactive Social Security check, is countable as monthly income according to special rules (see Lump Sum Income).  Examples of one-time payments, such as income tax refunds that are not federal or state earned income tax credits, are treated as lump sum income.
  • The $30 and One-Third Disregard and $30 Disregard describe circumstances under which certain portions of earned income are not countable either in determining or reviewing eligibility or in calculating the grant 

Related Topics

Income Policy and Procedures

Last Update:  November 23, 2022