When should the income of a foster child be counted?

The income of a foster child should be counted when the foster child is included in the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) unit. This is important because the inclusion of the foster child in the family unit signifies that their income may affect the overall financial evaluation of the household when determining eligibility for FNS benefits.

Inclusion in the FNS unit means that the foster child's income is relevant to assessing the total household income, which affects the resources available and the entitlement to assistance. Counting the income at this point ensures that the benefit calculations are accurate according to program regulations.

The other scenarios for counting income outlined in the other choices do not align with the established guidelines for assessing FNS eligibility. For example, counting income when reported by an agency is not a standard practice for determining FNS eligibility as it must rely on the actual household structure and income. Similarly, only counting income during tax season does not provide a comprehensive view of the household’s finances throughout the year. Lastly, counting income when the foster child receives benefits does not take into account the potential impact on the overall household income as evaluated through participation in the FNS program.