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Public Housing - Gross Household Income Exclusions- Massachusetts

The following income is excluded from gross household income:

·      Casual, sporadic, and irregular gifts.

·      Lump-sum amounts, which are specifically received for, or are reimbursement of the cost of illness or medical care, and payments which are made for personal injury or property damage or loss under health, accident or liability insurance, worker's compensation, and settlements, except when these payments compensate for loss of income. A lump sum settlement or similar payment for lost wages is equitably allocated to reflect current and future wages, and those current and future wages are not excluded from the gross income calculation.

·      Amounts of educational scholarships, or stipends for housing while at an educational institution, whether paid directly to the student or the educational institution. Also, amounts paid by the United States Government to a Veteran for use in meeting the cost of tuition, fees and books, including amounts paid to part-time students.

·      The special pay to a member of the Armed Forces, who is the head of the household, and away from home serving in a war zone.

·      Relocation payments made pursuant to Title II of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 or the provisions of the State Relocation Act.

·      Payments made and properly held related to the Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) program, provided that recipient fulfills all PASS program requirements.

·      The value of coupon allotments for the purchase of food (Food Stamps).

·      Payments received by participants or volunteers in programs related to the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.

·      Earned Income Disregard: The increased amount of income earned by a household member(s) for one 12 month period which would otherwise result in a rent increase. This exclusion may be exercised only if the household's net household income was derived at least in part from Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Program (EAEDC), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for each of the previous 12 months, and also provided that the household's increased earned income is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of public assistance received. This earned income exclusion is in effect for a period of 12 consecutive months only, regardless of changes or gaps in employment during that period. The head of household may decide to use this exclusion when a household member procures either full or part-time employment. It is the head of household's sole determination when to exercise this one-time earned income exclusion for the household.

·      Stipends received for participation in an approved education, training, or employment program, approved by the Executive Office of Communities and Development, or sponsored or administered by a government agency. Stipends are received to cover education, training or employment related costs such as transportation, child care, meals, books, or uniforms. This exemption does not include hourly wages received through employment programs, such as on-the-job training or work experience programs. These stipend amounts are not be allowed as deductions.

·      Income of full-time student, for the duration of the time the individual is a full-time student in pursuit of an undergraduate degree or enrolled in a diploma or certificate-granting program.

·      Income of a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) when such income is received from the State or other sources for services provided and when that income is not available to support the household's general needs.

Also see:

Public Housing - Overview - Massachusetts

Public Housing - Income Determination Overview - Massachusetts

Public Housing - Gross Household Income Deductions - Massachusetts

Public Housing - Annual Rent Redetermination - Massachusetts

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