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Chapter: 1800 Income Program: MSSI, SFP 28 1840.0906.06 VA Housebound Allowance (MSSI, SFP) This policy does not apply to OSS.

VA pays a housebound allowance to eligible individuals who do not qualify for regular aid and attendance payments. This allowance can be paid to a veteran or widow or a widower who receives dependency or indemnity compensation. It is excluded income. 1840.0906.07 VA Unreimbursed Medical Expenses (MSSI, SFP) Other than for exceptions listed in Rule 65A-1.713 F.A.C., the Department follows the SSI policy specified in 20 C.F.R. § 416.1100, including exclusionary policies regarding Veterans Administration benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance, Unreimbursed Medical Expenses, and reduced VA Improved pensions, to determine what counts as income and what is excluded as income.

This policy does not apply to OSS.

VA provides an allowance for unreimbursed medical expenses (UME) incurred by the veteran that exceed five percent of an individual's annual income. UME is excluded income. 1840.0906.08 VA Lump Sum Payments (MSSI, SFP) Lump sum payments, minus A&A, housebound, and UME, are included as unearned income in the month received. Any balance, including A&A, housebound, and UME, left as of the next month is counted as an asset. 1840.0906.09 VA Payments in OSS (SFP) All VA payments, including aid and attendance, housebound, and UME are included as unearned income in OSS. 1840.0908 Workers’ Compensation Payments (MSSI, SFP) 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.

For MSSI only, legal or related expenses pertaining to Workers’ Compensation are also deducted from the income amount. 1840.0909 Railroad Retirement Payments (MSSI, SFP) 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.