On Schedule HI-144, Lines a through n, list the items of income that are required to be reported for Household Income.
• Report your income (if filing jointly, include the income of your spouse) under Column 1.
• Report the income of your spouse or civil union partner if filing separately, under Column 2. Exceptions applying to spouse/civil union partner
1. You do not have to include your spouse/civil union partner when the person is not living with you as a member of your household and you are legally separated by court order or previously established protective/restraining order.
2. You do not have to include the income of a spouse who is age 62 or older and has moved permanently to a nursing home or other care facility.
• You do not have to include the income of a spouse who has a court-ordered restraining order in place prohibiting contact with you.
• Report the income of your spouse if filing separately, or civil union partner under Column 2.
Exclusions: The following are not part of household income:
• Payments by the State of Vermont for foster care under Vermont law at 33 V.S.A. Chapters 49 and 55
• Payments by the State of Vermont to a family for the support of an eligible person with a developmental disability
• Payments by the State of Vermont or an agency for adult foster care payments (formerly “difficulty of care” payments) found in 18 V.S.A. § 8907
• Surplus food or other relief in-kind supplied by a government agency
• The first $6,500 of income received (earned or unearned) by a person who qualifies as a dependent of the claimant under the Internal Revenue Code and who is the claimant’s parent or disabled adult child
• The first $6,500 of income earned, such as wages, salaries, tips, etc., by a full-time student who qualifies as a dependent of the claimant (all unearned income must be reported)
• The first $6,500 of gifts of cash and/or cash equivalents received by all household member