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transportation.

2. Travel tickets that can be converted are income and counted as unearned income at the current market value in the month of receipt whether or not the ticket was used for transportation.

Source: Social Security Act §1902 (r)(2); 42 CFR § 435.601(b) (Rev 1994).

Rule 7.40: Prizes.

A. This type of income is defined as follows:

1. A prize is generally something won in a contest, lottery or game of chance.

B. This type of income is treated as follows:

1. A prize is counted as unearned income subject to the general rules pertaining to income and income exclusions.

a) Gambling losses are not subtracted from gambling winnings in determining an individual’s countable income.

b) If a person is offered a choice between an in-kind prize and cash, the cash offered is counted as unearned income even if the individual chooses the in-kind item, regardless of the value, if any, of the in-kind item.

Source: Social Security Act §1902 (r)(2); 42 CFR § 435.601(b) (Rev 1994).

Rule 7.41: Gift Cards and Gift Certificates.

A. This type of income is treated as follows:

1. The value of a gift card or gift certificate is unearned income in the month it is received if the gift card or certificate can be used to purchase food or shelter or can be resold.

a) Absent evidence to the contrary, presume a gift card or certificate can be resold.

1) Evidence to the contrary could include a legally enforceable prohibition on resale or transfer of the card/certificate imposed by the card issuer/merchant printed on the card or certificate.

2. The value of the gift card/certificate is subject to general rules pertaining to income and income exclusion, e.g., infrequent or irregular income exclusion policy.

Source: Social Security Act §1902 (r)(2); 42 CFR § 435.601(b) (Rev 1994).