AA  Vehicles

Policy

In general, the equity value of vehicles is counted as a resource. 

Exception:

One automobile per household is excluded regardless of its value if it is used for transportation of the customer or a member of the customer’s household.

For other situations when vehicles may be excluded, see the following policy sections:

·        A Good Faith Effort to sell the vehicle is being made (MA703E)

·        Property Essential to Self-Support (MA705S)

If the value of the vehicle adversely affects the customer’s eligibility, the customer may rebut the value of the vehicle.  The customer must provide a statement, at his or her own expense, from a disinterested knowledgeable source.

A disinterested knowledgeable source may be any of the following:

·        Car or truck dealer;

·        Vehicle insurance company; or

·        State Motor Vehicle Department.

NOTE          Animals which meet the criteria of a vehicle must have their value determined by contacting a knowledgeable source in the local geographic area.

Definitions

Proof

Proof of use for transportation:

The customer’s statement that an automobile is used for transportation by a household member is acceptable proof, unless there is conflicting evidence in the file.

NOTE          Proof of the ownership, CMV, or equity value are not needed for the one vehicle excluded as transportation.

Proof of ownership:

Proof of ownership includes:

·        Title or registration;

·        Current insurance policy;

·        Bill of sale or sales contract;

·        Current car payment bill; or

·        Wills and court records.

Proof of CMV:

Primary proof of a vehicle’s CMV is the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) value.  However, an estimated value from a disinterested, knowledgeable source may be used in either of the following situations:

·        The vehicle is a historical or luxury vehicle and is older than the oldest KBB listing; or

·        The customer disagrees with the KBB value.

The estimate must identify the source of the estimate, the effective date and must be signed by the source.  A disinterested knowledgeable source may be any of the following:

·        Car or truck dealer;

·        Vehicle insurance company;

·        State Motor Vehicle Department; or

·        Other dealer of the specific vehicle type.

NOTE          The customer may submit any additional information that supports the claim that the value of the vehicle is different than the KBB listed value.

Proof for equity value:

Proof of loans or liens on the vehicle may include any of the following:

·        Current loan payment statements or bills that provide the outstanding loan amount or pay-off amount;

·        Written statements from loan- or lien-holder with the outstanding balance; or

·        Other accounting or year-end statements or balance sheets.

Legal Authority