1. (a) When a family reports a significant change in income, the budget will be recomputed to determine the family’s continued eligibility.

2. (b)

   1. (1) If the net countable income exceeds five hundred thirteen dollars ($513) (income eligibility standard), the family is no longer eligible.
   2. (2) See Example 1.
   3. (3) Refer to 20 CAR § 502-517(e).

3. (c)

   1. (1) If the net countable income does not exceed five hundred thirteen dollars ($513) and the gross countable income does not exceed one thousand twenty-six dollars ($1,026), the assistance payment will remain the same.
   2. (2) See Example 2.
   3. (3) Refer to 20 CAR § 502-517(e).

4. (d)

   1. (1) If the net countable income does not exceed five hundred thirteen dollars ($513) but the gross countable income exceeds one thousand twenty-six dollars ($1,026), the assistance payment will be reduced by fifty percent (50%).
   2. (2) See Example 3.
   3. (3) Refer to 20 CAR § 502-520. Example 1: Mrs. Jones receives two hundred eighty-six dollars ($286) per month assistance for herself, her husband, and her three (3) children. Mr. Jones started to work, and his monthly gross earnings are computed to be two thousand dollars ($2,000). The income eligibility budget is as follows: $2,000 (gross earnings) x 80% = $1,600 - $960 (60% of $1,600) = $640. Since the net countable income of six hundred forty dollars ($640) exceeds the income eligibility standard of five hundred thirteen dollars ($513), the family is no longer eligible. Example 2: Mr. Thomas receives assistance for himself and one (1) child (one hundred sixty-two dollars ($162)). He started to work, and his monthly gross earnings are computed to be one thousand twenty-five dollars ($1,025). The income eligibility budget is as follows: $1,025 (gross earnings) x 80% = $820 - $492 (60% of $820) = $328. Since the net countable income is less than the income eligibility standard of five hundred thirteen dollars ($513), the family remains eligible. The assistance payment (one hundred sixty-two dollars ($162)) remains the same because the gross earnings (one thousand twenty-five dollars ($1,025)) are less than one thousand twenty-six dollars ($1,026). Example 3: Mrs. Hill receives assistance for herself and two (2) children (two hundred four dollars ($204)). She has found employment, and her monthly gross earnings are computed to be one thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($1,250). The income eligibility budget is as follows: $1,250 (gross earnings) x 80% = $1,000 - $600 (60% of $1,000) = $400, which is less than the standard of five hundred thirteen dollars ($513). The family remains income eligible. Since the gross income is greater than one thousand twenty-six dollars ($1,026) (refer to 20 CAR § 502-518), the assistance payment is reduced by fifty percent (50%). The new assistance payment will be one hundred two dollars ($102).

5. (e)

   1. (1) Even if the family remains eligible, the participant may choose at any time to have his or her case closed.
   2. (2) The worker should discuss this option with a participant who becomes employed, since each month of receipt reduces the number of months he or she may receive benefits in the future.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: “01/01/2023”