In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Applicant” means an individual: Who has submitted an application to the LDSS for cash assistance: Directly; Through an authorized representative; or If incompetent or incapacitated, through someone acting responsibly for the individual; and Whose application is pending. Asset. “Asset” means any real or personal property an applicant or recipient owns which may be used to meet living expenses. “Asset” includes cash on hand, savings, and items such as stocks and bonds that can be converted to cash. “Assistance unit” means: An individual adult; Married individuals without children; or Parents or custodial relatives with minor children who are not eligible for temporary cash assistance, who live in the same household. “Asylee” means an individual who has been granted asylum status in the U.S. under §208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) (8 U.S.C. §1158). “Authorized representative” means an adult nonassistance unit member who has been designated in writing to act on behalf of the household. “Case” means the group of individuals living together whose needs and resources are considered when authorizing program benefits. “Department” means the Department of Human Services. Earned Income. “Earned income” means payment received by an individual for work or services performed. “Earned income” includes wages, salary, commissions, tips, and proceeds from self-employment. “Electronic benefit transfer system (EBTS)” means a benefit issuance system in which benefits are stored in a central computer database and are accessed with reusable plastic cards at automated teller machines or at a point of sale. “Employability plan” means an individualized written plan for serving an individual which defines an employment goal and the development services or steps required to meet the goal within the mutually agreed upon time frame. “Employment services contractor” means an agency that is under contract with the Department to provide the services necessary to enable individuals to meet the work requirements. “Equity value” means the fair market value less all encumbrances. “Fair market value” means the price for which an item can be sold in an open market in a given geographic area. “Family self-sufficiency plan” means a plan that addresses the employment related service needs of the employable member of the assistance unit for the purpose of enabling the assistance unit to become self-supporting through the employment of one or more members. “Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)” means 8 U.S.C. §1101 et seq. “Intentional program violation (IPV)” means an intentional false or misleading statement or misrepresentation, concealment, or withholding of facts for the purpose of: Establishing or maintaining the assistance unit's eligibility for RCA; or Increasing or preventing a reduction of the amount of RCA. “Interim change” means a change in a customer's situation, after an application, that may affect the amount of benefits paid or continuing eligibility. “Local department (LDSS)” means a department of social services in a county or Baltimore City or the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. “Local resettlement agency” means a local affiliate or subcontractor of a national voluntary agency that has entered into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement with the United States Department of State or other appropriate federal agency to provide for the reception and initial placement of refugees in the United States. “Recipient” means an individual in an active RCA assistance unit. “Refugee” means an individual paroled as a refugee or asylee under section 212(d)(5) of the INA or admitted as a refugee under section 207 of the INA. “Refugee cash assistance (RCA)” means cash assistance provided under section 412(e) of the INA to refugees who are ineligible for TCA or SSI. “Resource” means the amount left from an asset or from income, after all exclusions and disregards are applied. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Human Services. “Sponsor” means an individual, church, civic organization, State or local government, or other group or organization, which has agreed to help in the reception and initial placement of a refugee. “Supplemental Security Income (SSI)” means the cash assistance program for aged and disabled individuals funded under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §1381 et seq.). “Temporary cash assistance (TCA)” means the cash assistance program for families with children, which is funded under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. “Unearned income” means money, goods, and services received from sources other than earned income such as pensions, benefits, returns from investments, payments of support, or contributions. Verification. “Verification” means proof that the statements made by an individual applying for RCA are true. “Verification” includes proof contained in documents or records of public or private agencies, firms, or individuals. “Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons” means an individual certified in accordance with Public Law 106-386 Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.