Frequently Asked Questions

Your Earnings

To be eligible for shelter, you must meet income requirements. Below is a list of the maximum amount of money you can earn per month before taxes based on the number of people in your family. Your family includes all the people who are applying for shelter. It is based on 130% of the Federal Poverty Line. The amounts below reflect the income cut off as of January 2007. Your family includes all the people who are applying for shelter.

Family Size	How much you can earn monthly and still get into shelter
1	$1,106
2	$1,483
3	$1,860
4	$2,237
5	$2,614
6	$2,991
7	$3,368
Increment	$377

* TAFDC, SSI, and EAEDC payments are counted in these amounts. DTA does not count income from food stamps, training stipends (up to $130/month), college grants and loans (including work study), money earned by family members under the age of 14, and up to six months of earnings of full-time students over the age of 14.

DTA also will deny shelter to you if an adult in your family has quit a job or reduced income, without “good cause”, within 90 days of applying for shelter. “Good cause” may apply to you if you cannot meet program requirements because you do not have suitable childcare, you are dealing with certain health conditions, or you have a family emergency. Good cause also covers certain job situations: you are receiving substandard wages, you are experiencing discrimination, there are health and safety violations, or your job only is available because there is a strike or lockout.