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Background
HUD Data Element 4.02 Income and Sources determines whether households are accessing all income sources for which they are eligible at the time of project start and to allow for analyzing any changes to income between project start and exit. Increase in income is a key performance measure of most Federal Partner programs. The benefit to collecting income information throughout a project stay is twofold:
- It helps link clients to all income sources and benefits for which they are eligible.
- It helps CoCs improve methods to access additional income sources.
Income and Sources Field
- Project Type Applicability: All Programs - All Components
- Data Collected About: Heads of households and Adults
- Data should be collected consistent with any guidelines for calculating household income provided by a project funder (e.g. eligibility, etc.).
- As a general rule, any income associated with a minor used for household expenses and support should be included in the head of households Income and Sources record. However there are situations where projects may choose to collect income information for all household members including minor children within households. Please see the HUD Data Dictionary for more information.
- Collection Point: Project Start, project exit and anytime income or sources change (e.g. if a minor child enters or leaves a household).
- Screens in HMIS: Enrollment Screen, Annual Assessment Screen, Exit Screen
Common Errors
Use the following table to avoid the most common errors for income and benefits:
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Common Error |
Clarification and Guidance |
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Confusion between SSI, SSDI and Retirement Income from Social Security
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These programs are completely different governmental programs although all are administered through the Social Security Administration. (As you review the following, keep in mind that work credits are the amount of time worked and amount of Social Security taxes paid.)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits are only available to low-income individuals who have either never worked or who haven’t earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available to workers who have worked and accumulated a sufficient number of work credits but they are unable to work due to a medical condition.
Retirement Income from Social Security is available to workers, employers and the self-employed who pay for the benefits with their Social Security taxes from their working income. |
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General Assistance listed as Other income |
General Assistance (also called General Relief) is a cash assistance program funded by the County of Orange. It provides temporary cash aid to eligible adult lawful residents who do not have custody of any minor children and do not qualify for Federal or State funded cash aid programs.
Use the General Assistance field to report General Assistance or General Relief. |
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No income entered as Other income $0 |
Other Income is only for sources of income not listed. If the client has no income, use the "No" response for the field Income from any source. Do not use this field to indicate the client has no income (placing $0 in the field). |
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Noncash SNAP not entered for people receiving public assistance |
If a client is receiving Public Assistance, Noncash SNAP must be entered. |
Review the video below for more background on this field, and guidance in determining an accurate value for this field.
