Definitions

Net Earnings

Earning after non-refundable taxes. That is, it does not count safety-net programs embedded in the tax code allowing for persons to receive cash assistance in the form of tax “refunds.”

Refundable Tax Credits

Safety-net programs within the tax code allowing for cash assistance through tax “refunds,” such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Federal Earned Income Tax Credit

Federal tax credit for working individuals.

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State Earned Income Tax Credit

Optional state program that matches the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Many states do not have a matching program.

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Child Tax Credit

Federal tax credits for having children within the household. The age requirements of the child differ depending on the circumstances of the child, and have changed over the years. The Additional Child Tax Credit is the refundable portion of the program, allowing tax filers to receive money from the U.S. Department of Treasury without owing any federal income taxes.

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Cash Assistance

General cash assistance from government safety-net programs, such as from cash payments from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Supplemental Security Income program.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Cash grants from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The amount of the cash grants are determined by the states.

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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Federal program administered by the states providing home heating and cooling assistance.

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Food Assistance

Payment system for the purchase of food, such the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a.k.a., food purchases per the Women, Infants, and Children program, and the value of free or reduced price school lunches and breakfasts.

Supplemental Nutrtition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Federal program administered by the states to provide assistance, formerly known as the food stamp program.

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Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Federal limited food assistance administered by the states for infants, young children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

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School Breakfast & Lunch Programs

School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are federal programs administered by the states for free and reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches. It is a food assistance program for school-age children.

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HIX Premium Tax Credit

(Health Insurance Exchange Premium Tax Credit) Federal refundable tax credits dedicated to help offset the cost of the purchase of health insurance on the individual Health Insurance Exchange.

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Medical Assistance

Payment system for the access of medical care that includes Medicaid and a state’s Child Health Insurance Program.

Medicaid

A joint state-federal program providing healthcare for elderly, disabled individuals and low income persons.

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Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

A joint state-federal program providing healthcare for children unable to receive Medicaid.

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Section 8 Housing Entry

Value of vouchers for renting Section 8 housing up until the income point when an applicant is eligible to be selected to participate. Section 8 housing is not an entitlement and participation is not guaranteed even if the person or family is eligible.

Section 8 Housing

Rental vouchers through the federal Section 8 program administered by public housing agencies or by the states.

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Section 8 Housing Extended

Value of vouchers for renting Section 8 housing for those who would no longer be income eligible to apply for the program but who nonetheless receive the benefit due to past eligibility and selection for participation.

Section 8 Housing

Rental vouchers through the federal Section 8 program administered by public housing agencies or by the states.

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