IM-44 May 3, 2023; IM-139 November 17, 2022; IM-114 November 5, 2004; IM-123 July 2, 2001; IM-64 March 29, 2001
The following categories of resources are captured in the eligibility system on their own separate screens:
- Liquid Resource
- Prepaid Burial
- Personal Property
- Vehicle(s)
- Real Property
The eligibility system knows which resources are included and which are excluded from the resource determination for each program.
The full cash value of any prepaid burial plan is entered into the eligibility system. The eligibility system is programmed to apply an exemption of up to if the plan is not irrevocable.
The value of the following readily-negotiable liquid resources are entered on the Liquid Resource screen in the eligibility system and are included in the resource determination:
- cash on hand
- checking account
- savings account
- U.S. Savings Bonds
- stocks
- time certificates and/or deposits
- installment/sales contracts not producing income equal to fair market value
- notes receivable/deeds of trust not producing income equal to fair market value
- cryptocurrency or other digital currencies ex. Bitcoins, Ethereum, Litecoin and other blockchain-based assets
- crowdfunding accounts (defined as the practice of funding a project by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the internet. Examples of crowdfunding websites would be GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and lndiegogo)
The value of cryptocurrency/digital currency should be determined at the time of the SNAP interview. Accept the household’s statement if the participant is aware of the value of the digital currency in United States Dollars (USD).
If the value of the virtual currency is unknown, the value should be determined by converting the currency into USD using the price listed on the exchange where the currency is stored or traded. If the digital currency is not held on an exchange, use the most reasonable rate of exchange at the time of the interview for the amount of the cryptocurrency/digital currency the household owns. See Coinranking.com and use the 30 day average of the currency’s value for the resource amount.
Crowdfunding accounts meet the definition of a liquid resource once the funds are accessible to the household. Crowdfunding websites typically indicate the funding goal and level of campaign contributions; however, the funds accessible to the accountholder may differ from those amounts. Count the actual value of funds accessible to the household at the time of their interview.
NOTE: Crowdfunding account’s treatment as a resource has no effect on whether or not a participant receives an allowable deduction. Once the funds from the account are used to pay for an expense that qualifies as an allowable deduction, staff should properly apply the deduction. If the participant has access to the funds from the crowdfunding account and has not used these funds for a qualified expense then those funds should be counted as a liquid resource.
The value of the following non-liquid resources are entered on the Real Property screen in the eligibility system and are included in the resource determination:
- buildings
- land
- lots/acreage
- house/mobile home
- life estates (type depends on the property held in the estate).
NOTE: For purposes of determining the value of a life estate, held on property located in Missouri or of a life estate in property held in another state for which the rights under the life estate are the same as in Missouri, use the Carlisle table (refer to the Appendix A – Determination of the Value of a Life Estate or Dower Interest).
If the life estate is held on property located in another state and the rights of that life estate are different than those rights in Missouri, determine the accessibility of that life estate.
The values of the following non-liquid resources are entered on the Personal Property screen in the eligibility system and are included in the resource determination unless a usage code that excludes the resource (i.e. income producing consistent with fair market value or 50% time) is entered:
- boat/motor
- aircraft
- business equipment or tools
- grain, produce, or timber
- farm machinery
- livestock
The participant’s statement is acceptable verification, unless the resource or value is questionable, inconsistent or near the maximum. Questionable information would be information provided by the household that is inconsistent with other information available.
Record a comment regarding verification and any other information necessary to explain how the information affects eligibility.
Always review the financial resources used in the eligibility determination prior to authorizing a case action to ensure resources are included/excluded as expected.