; or (bb) with respect to Internal Revenue Service Form 1040, any of the following forms: Schedule A, Schedule B, Schedule C, Schedule C–EZ, Schedule D, Schedule E, Schedule F, Schedule H, Schedule J, and Schedule SE; and (ii) the sum of the adjusted gross income of the student and spouse (if appropriate) is less than or equal to $34,000; or (B) the student received a benefit at some time during the previous 24-month period under a means-tested Federal benefit program; or (3) the applicant is a pathway one applicant under section 483(a)(13). (b) Earned income credit An individual is not required to qualify or file for the earned income credit in order to be eligible under this section. (c) Adjustments The Secretary shall annually adjust the income level necessary to qualify an applicant for the zero expected family contribution. The income level shall be annually increased by the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index, as defined in section 478(f), for the most recent calendar year ending prior to the beginning of an award year, and rounded up to the nearest $1,000. (d) Means-Tested federal benefit program defined For purposes of this paragraph, a means-tested Federal benefit program means a mandatory spending program of the Federal Government, other than a program under this title, in which eligibility for the program’s benefits, or the amount of such benefits, are determined on the basis of income or resources of the individual or family seeking the benefit, and may include such programs as— (1) the supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.); (2) the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), a nutrition assistance program carried out under section 19 of such Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2028 ), and a supplemental nutrition assistance program carried out under section 1841(c) of title 48 of the United States Code