1515 Vehicles | TANF

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Vehicles

Effective Date:

October 2024

Chapter:

1500

Policy Number:

1515

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 69

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-78

Requirements

The value of certain vehicles is applied to the resource limit.

Basic Considerations

The value of a vehicle owned by an assistance unit (AU) member or by a person whose resources are considered available to the AU is applied to the resource limit.

Ownership

Ownership of a vehicle must be established before it can be considered a resource.

Refer to Section 1505 Resources, for policy regarding jointly owned resources.

A vehicle which the AU may use but which is titled to another individual is not considered a resource to the AU.

Leased vehicles are not considered a resource as the AU does not own the vehicle.

Exempt Vehicles

Vehicles are totally exempt from consideration if used for any of the following reasons:

primarily as a dwelling
over 50% of the time for income-producing purposes.

Income producing vehicles continue to be exempt during temporary periods of unemployment or inactivity.

Refer to Chart 1515.1, Treatment of Vehicles, to establish if a vehicle is totally exempt.

Exemptions apply to the value of a vehicle when the vehicle is used by or for any of the following individuals:

AU member
ineligible parent
penalized individual
disqualified individual.

Non-Exempt Vehicles

All other vehicles must be considered when determining the countable resource value of the AU.

All other vehicles include vehicles that are inoperable.

The equity value is used to determine the countable resource value of a vehicle. The equity value is the fair market value less any indebtedness or financial encumbrance.

The value of special equipment to adapt a vehicle for the handicapped is not considered in determining the value of a vehicle.

Exclusions

An exclusion is given to the value of one vehicle based on who uses the vehicle and for what purpose.

The agency must determine the number of persons using vehicles and the purpose for which the vehicles are used.

Exclusions apply to the value of a vehicle when the vehicle is used by or for any of the following individuals:

AU member
ineligible parent
penalized individual
disqualified individual.

The AU can choose to which vehicle an exclusion is applied.

A $4650 exclusion from the equity value of one vehicle is given if the vehicle is used for either of the following:

to seek, accept or continue employment
to attend training or school in preparation for employment.

A $4650.00 exclusion from the equity value may be given to two vehicles in a two parent AU if both vehicles are used for one of the above reasons.

The exclusion continues to apply during periods in which these activities are temporarily interrupted.

A $1500 exclusion from the equity value of one licensed vehicle is given if the above exclusion does not apply.

Only one of the above exclusions is allowed for each AU.

The equity value in excess of the excluded amount is applied to the resource limit.

Verification

The AU’s statement of ownership of a vehicle is accepted, unless questionable. If questionable, verify ownership by one of the following:

tag receipt
title
statement from lien holder or lender.

The AU’s statement of the use of the vehicle is accepted, unless questionable.

The fair market value and the legal encumbrance of all non-exempt vehicles must be verified.

The fair market value of a vehicle must be verified by one of the following:

a tag receipt or assessed tax value obtained from the county tag office and multiplied by 2.5,
the average trade-in value from the most current NADA book, or
the average trade-in value from the internet.
a dealer’s statement of the value of a vehicle.

The source of verification that is used to determine the fair market value of a vehicle should be copied and scanned in the case record.

If e-mail communication or internet is used to verify the value of a vehicle, then a dated print out should also be scanned in the case record.

The amount of debt or legal encumbrance must be verified by the lien holder or the lender.

If the AU claims the assigned value does not apply to the vehicle, the AU must be given the opportunity to obtain other verification from a reliable source.

The value of classic or antique cars must be verified by a statement from a reliable source.

Procedures

Follow the steps below to determine the countable resource value of vehicles:

Step 1	Determine what vehicles are owned by the AU or by a person whose resources are considered available to the AU.
Step 2	Determine the use of the vehicles.
Step 3	Determine if any of the vehicles can be totally exempt based on their use.
Step 4	Determine the make and model of any remaining vehicles.
Step 5	Verify the fair market value of these vehicles.
Step 6	Verify the financial encumbrances (debt or lien) on the vehicle.
Step 7	Determine the equity value by subtracting the amount owed from the fair market value.
Step 8	Apply exclusions, if applicable.
Step 9	Apply the remainder in excess of the exclusion to the resource limit.

Use the following chart to determine the value of a vehicle to be applied to the resource limit:

Chart 1515.1 - Treatment of Vehicles

USE OF VEHICLE

TREATMENT

to seek, accept or continue employment or to attend training or school

Exclude $4650 from the equity value of one vehicle. Apply the remainder to the resource limit.

A $4650 exclusion may be given to two vehicles in a two-parent AU.

as general transportation

Exclude $1500 from the EV of one licensed or unlicensed vehicle, if the above exclusion is not allowed.

Apply the remainder to the resource limit.

as a home

Do not count the value as a resource.

to produce income

Do not count the value as a resource.

for recreation (boats, recreational vehicles)

Apply the full equity value to the resource limit.

inoperable vehicles

Apply the full equity value to the resource limit.

all other uses

Apply the full equity value to the resource limit.