What is typically excluded from annual income regarding government assistance?

Food stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are typically excluded from annual income calculations for the purpose of determining eligibility for housing assistance programs. This exclusion is in place because food stamps are specifically designed to assist with purchasing food and not considered an income source that can be used for other expenses, such as rent or utilities.

When evaluating annual income for assistance programs, agencies often focus on sources of income that directly contribute to an individual's or family’s economic capacity to pay for housing. Since food stamps are not cash or equivalent to cash and are intended solely for food purchases, they do not factor into the income assessment.

Other options, like child support, disability payments, and retirement benefits, generally do count as part of an individual's income, as they represent funds available for living expenses, including housing costs. This distinction is critical for determining qualifications for assistance, making it essential to understand what is considered income in the context of government housing programs.