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Chapter: 1800 Income Program: MSSI, SFP 29 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 should be made by reviewing an award notice. When contact with the railroad board (RRB) is necessary, contact the local RRB district office, not the RRB in Chicago. 1840.0910 Unemployment Compensation (MSSI, SFP) Payments received pursuant to a state or federal unemployment law, or paid by a union or employer are included as unearned income. 1840.0913 Life Insurance Policy/Death Benefits (MSSI, SFP) Proceeds of life insurance policies and other death benefits include lump sum death payments from SSA, the Railroad Retirement Board, and VA burial benefits.

Proceeds from such payments are counted as unearned income in the month received, after deducting any expenses paid from the proceeds for the deceased person's last illness and burial.

Last illness expenses include related hospital, medical, and nonmedical expenses. Burial expenses include the funeral, burial plot, interment expenses, and related costs.

The only exception is when the beneficiary of a life insurance policy is also the owner. In this situation the proceeds are considered to result from converting an asset and are not included as income. 1840.0914 Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Prog. (MSSI, SFP) Payments made to individuals under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP) Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-398) are excluded as income. 1840.0915 Domestic Volunteer Services Act (MSSI, SFP) The following are excluded income:

1. Assistance to volunteers who participate in ACTION Programs funded under Public Law 93-113, including VISTA or AmeriCorps VISTA and other programs under Title I of that law; and 2. Payments for supportive services or reimbursement for expenses made to volunteers serving as foster grandparents, senior health aids, or senior companions, and to persons serving on the Service Corps of Retired Executives, Active Corps of Executives, and other programs under Title II and III of the act. 1840.0915.02 Individuals Covered by Exclusions (MSSI, SFP) Each of the exclusions described in the following sections covers not only an individual, but also persons whose income/assets can be deemed to the individual. Exceptions to this policy are for volunteers in ACTION Agency Programs.