What types of income are excluded from a family's income calculation for dependents?

Income from minors and benefits paid to minors is excluded from a family's income calculation for dependents because the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program focuses on evaluating adult income when determining eligibility and assistance levels. This exclusion helps to reduce the financial burden on families with children, as it recognizes that minors typically do not have the same financial responsibilities as adults.

When considering the special circumstances surrounding minors, it is understood that their earnings are often limited and may not be indicative of the overall financial capability of the household. Benefits paid to minors can include things like child support, Social Security benefits, or other financial assistance designed to help with raising children, which the program does not account against the family's overall income.

By excluding these types of income, the HCV program aims to create a fairer assessment for families, allowing them to benefit from housing assistance without penalizing them for a dependent's income that might not contribute significantly to the family's livelihood.