The following example illustrates the policies that apply to determining ISM for transient
and homeless individuals.
Situation: John comes into an SSA field office on 1/15/04 for a redetermination. John reports
that John started living in their automobile on 9/15/03 because John could not afford
a permanent place to live. While living in the automobile, John received some food
from a food bank and bought the rest.. From 11/16/03 through 11/27/03 John stayed
with a sibling who did not charge for food and shelter. John left the sibling's home
on 11/28/03 and resumed living in the automobile. With the onset of winter weather,
a local church opened up a temporary shelter. John began staying at the church’s shelter
on 12/29/03. The church shelter provides meals and sleeping quarters at no cost to
those who stay.
Analysis: Based on the case facts provided during the interview, the claims representative
(CR) determined that John is a homeless individual and that their LA/ISM should be
determined under the rules for transients/homeless as of 10/1/03. The CR determined
that living in an automobile did not result in countable ISM. The HEA/SMA precedent
file indicates that the food bank is certified as a provider of support and maintenance
assistance (SMA), so the food from the food bank is not countable as ISM.
However, no exclusion applies to the food and shelter provided by John's sibling.
So the CR must develop the value of the food and shelter John received from 11/16/03
through 11/27/03. Because John is a transient, the first of the month rule does not
apply to the ISM determination. Any ISM received in a month is countable. When the
CR notified John about the PMV rule and rebuttal rights, John provided evidence that
the actual value of the food and shelter for 11/03 was $130. Since the actual value
is less than the PMV, the actual value of $130 is counted as ISM for 11/03.
The precedent file also indicates that the church is a certified provider of SMA,
so no ISM is counted for the food and shelter provided to John by the church shelter.
In summary, John is in FLA/A from 10/03 through 1/04. John is charged with $130 of
ISM in 11/03. No countable ISM was received in 10/03 or 12/03. Through 1/15/04, the
date of the interview, no ISM had been received in 1/04.