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Left over amounts (previous month's payment that isn't spent in that previous month) of this allowance from previous months payments and/or lump sum payments of this allowance are to be considered as an exempt resource and documented in the eligibility system. If the client has this in an account with other countable resources, the client must supply the worker with the amount of money that is the Spina Bifida amount so this amount may be exempt from the resource determination. It does not have to be in a separate account, but the client or a family member must keep track of the amount.

EXAMPLE:

A client is receiving a monthly payment of $700 for Spina Bifida for his children and the client is a Vietnam veteran. The $700 is exempt income and is listed with the proper code in the eligibility system.

The next month the client receives another payment of $700 which is directly deposited into his bank account. The client also has $500 in the account of which $400 is money left over from the Spina Bifida allowance received in the previous month. For the resource determination, only $100 would be listed as a countable resource in the system and the remaining $400 would be documented as being left over Spina Bifida allowance from the previous month’s payment, and this $400 would be an exempt resource.

2840.15.00 RAILROAD RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Railroad Retirement Benefits are unearned income and may be available to former railroad workers and their dependents or survivors. Included are retirement and disability benefits. The Railroad Retirement benefit and Social Security benefit are usually combined in one payment if the individual is entitled to both benefits. Verification of benefits is essential. Refer to Section 2890.10.25. 2840.20.00 PENSIONS

Payments may be available from private industry, local or state governments, or the federal government to former employees and their dependents or survivors. 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 funds. Pensions are counted as unearned income.

Refer to Section 2890.10.35 for verification requirements. The amount of funds being recouped from a pension is an allowable deduction and is to be entered in the eligibility system. 2840.25.00 UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS