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Chapter: 1800 Income

Program: CIC 16 For all programs, the gross entitlement amount (prior to any deduction) is entered into the FLORIDA system on AFMI. The cents should not be dropped. (The system automatically drops the cents when calculating the budget for food stamps and SSI-Related Programs.)

Social Security benefits recouped by SSA that are not received by the household are excluded unearned income. 1850.0905 Annuities, Pensions and Retirement (CIC) Annuities, pensions, retirement or disability payments are all included as unearned income. These payments are the result of purchase of an annuity, retirement from employment, survivor benefits for a former employee's dependents, or injury or disability, and may be made by an employer, an insurance company, or public or private fund. 1850.0906 Veterans Benefits and Payments (CIC) Veterans' compensation and pensions are based primarily on service in the armed forces and may also be made to the veterans' dependents or survivors. These payments are counted as unearned income. The following are excluded as income:

1. Payments to a natural child of a Vietnam veteran born with spina bifida, except spina bifida occulta, as a result of the exposure of one or both parents to Agent Orange (P.L. 104-204). 2. Payments to a natural child of a woman Vietnam veteran born with one or more birth defects resulting in permanent physical or mental disability (P.L. 106-419). 3. Aid and attendance, a housebound allowance and unreimbursed expenses. 1850.0908 Workers' Compensation Payments (CIC) Workers' Compensation payments are included as unearned income.

Workers' Compensation payments are awarded to an injured employee or to the employee's survivors. Any portion of the payment designated for medical expenses paid or deducted at the source and not controlled by the individual is excluded from the income amount. 1850.0909 Railroad Retirement Payments (CIC) Retirement, survivor, unemployment, sickness and strike benefits from railroad payments are included as unearned income. Premiums for medical insurance under Medicare that may have been deducted must be added to the payment amount in determining the amount of unearned income. Entitlement or potential entitlement for railroad benefits should be suspected if the individual's SSN begins with the number "7".

The following are three different railroad retirement benefits:

1. The retirement benefit is payable only to the railroad employee or the employee's spouse. Benefits may be increased because of dependent children; however, the amount of the increase is considered income to the individual rather than the child(ren).

2. The survivor benefit is payable to widows/widowers and children or to dependent parents if no widow(er) or child qualifies.

3. Checks for unemployment, sickness, and strike benefits cover a period up to two weeks.

Retirement and survivor benefits are paid monthly. Payment received in the current month is the amount due the individual for the prior month.

Railroad retirement benefits are adjusted for cost of living at the same time as SSA. However, differences in amounts may exist due to individual case circumstances. Verification of differences