The earned income disallowance (EID) is an incentive to encourage current public housing residents to become self-sufficient (no longer dependent on government aid).  This incentive allows qualified tenants to not count a portion of income for a total of 12 months.  In order to qualify for EID one of the following events must occur while a tenant lives in public housing (it could not have happened prior to move in.)
Employment of a family member who was previously unemployed for one or more years prior to employment.
Increased earnings by a family member during participation in any economic self-sufficiency or other training program.
New employment or increased earnings of a family member during or within 6 months after receiving assistance, benefits, or services under any state program for temporary assistance (TANF, Welfare-to-Work).