Countable income for WHEAP and Weatherization

Just as a reminder – if you are considering applying for Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) and Weatherization, keep in mind that while most income counts for eligibility for these programs, there are some income types that are not counted.

Income that should not be counted for these two programs:

• Medicare Part B premium deductions from Social Security payments;

• Medical insurance premiums deducted from the retirement pay of those receiving federal retirement or railroad benefits, up to the amount equal to the Medicare Part B premium;

• SSI-E Supplements to SSI; • Veteran’s Aid and Attendance (unless aid worker is living in the household); • Benefits received from the supplemental food program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); • Foodshare benefits; • Kinship Care; • In-kind income;

• Court-ordered child support payments;

• Withdrawals from the principal of interest/dividend earning accounts such as savings accounts, stocks and U.S. Treasury Bonds;

• Non-recurring lump sum payments such as income tax refunds, rebates, earned income credits, insurance settlements, estate inheritances, trust funds (if the payment is a non-recurring lump sum), refunds of security deposits on rental property or utilities, retroactive Social Security, Public Assistance or unemployment compensation payments, severance pay, homestead tax credit;

• Annual lump sum withdrawals from an IRA account before the account owner is 70 years old; • Loans (including reverse mortgages); • Reimbursements; • Refunds and overpayment;

• Government Payments and Program Participation Income:

– Payments or allowance made under any federal, state or local laws for the purpose of energy assistance, including WHEAP;

– Payments made to children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida; – VISTA income; – Americorp income; – Foster Care payments;

–Title V Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP income formerly Green Thumb);

– Payment to volunteers under Title II (RSVP, Foster Grandparents and other) and Title III (SCORE and AGE) of the domestic Volunteer Services Act;

– Uniform Relocation Assistance and Property Acquisition Policy Act of 1970; – Submarginal land of the United States held in trust for certain Indian tribes; – Retroactive DEFRA payments;

– Monies received as a result of Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Act of 1989.

If you have any additional questions, you may call Pat Hafermann, elderly benefits specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Center, at (920) 459-4389. If you want to schedule an appointment to apply for WHEAP or Weatherization in Sheboygan County, call (920) 459-3207.

Resource: “The Specialist” October 2009