Evidence of individual social disadvantage must include the following elements:

(1) Submission of narrative and financial information.

(a) Each individual claiming economic disadvantage must describe the conditions, which are the basis for the claim in a narrative statement, and must submit personal financial information.

(b) When married, an individual claiming economic disadvantage also must submit separate financial information for his or her spouse, unless the individual and the spouse are legally separated.

(2) Factors to be considered. In considering diminished capital and credit opportunities, the office will examine factors relating to the personal financial condition of any individual claiming disadvantaged status, including personal income for the past two years (including bonuses and the value of company stock given in lieu of cash), personal net worth, and the fair market value of all assets, whether encumbered or not. The office will also consider the financial condition of the applicant compared to the financial profiles of small businesses in the same primary industry classification, or, if not available, in similar lines of business, which are not owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in evaluating the individual's access to credit and capital. The financial profiles that the office will compare include total assets, net sales, pretax profit, sales/working capital ratio, and net worth.

(3) Transfers within two years.

(a) Except as set forth in (b) of this subsection, the office will attribute to an individual claiming disadvantaged status any assets which that individual has transferred to an immediate family member, or to a trust, a beneficiary of which is an immediate family member, for less than fair market value, within two years prior to a concern's application for participation in the program, unless the individual claiming disadvantaged status can demonstrate that the transfer is to or on behalf of an immediate family member for that individual's education, medical expenses, or some other form of essential support.

(b) The office will not attribute to an individual claiming disadvantaged status any assets transferred by that individual to an immediate family member that are consistent with the customary recognition of special occasions, such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and retirements.

(c) In determining an individual's access to capital and credit, the office may consider any assets that the individual transferred within such two-year period described by (a) of this subsection that are not considered in evaluating the individual's assets and net worth (e.g., transfers to charities).