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INCOME SSI-RELATED BUDGETING METHODOLOGY

IMPAIRMENT-RELATED WORK EXPENSES

Description: Impairment-related work expenses are non-medical expenses directly related to enabling the disabled SSI-related individual to work. The cost of these expenses is paid by the disabled individual and is not reimbursable from another source. (See INCOME SSI-RELATED BUDGETING METHODOLOGY BLIND WORK EXPENSES for work expenses of the blind.)

Policy: For SSI-related persons, impairment related work expenses are subtracted from earned income after the $65 deduction, but before the one-half of the remaining income disregard.

NOTE: Medical impairment related work expenses are not deductions in the SSI-related budgeting methodology but rather may be used to reduce excess income after the budget calculations are complete (See INCOME EXCESS). Where applicable, medical impairment-related work expenses are combined with other incurred medical bills to reduce excess income available to meet medical costs and services. If there is no excess income, medical impairment-related work expenses may be paid by Medicaid.

References: Dept. Reg.

360-4.6(a)(2)(v)

ADMs

83 ADM-65

83 ADM-17

Disability Manual

Interpretation: Examples of non-medical impairment-related work expenses that may be used as a deduction for SSI-related persons are:

• Cost of modifications made to a car in order to permit a handicapped person to drive to work;

• Wheel chair ramps;

• Cost of special foods needed to maintain dietary restrictions while at work;

• Work-related equipment such as one-hand typewriters, page turning devices, telecommunication devices for the deaf, Braille devices, and

• Interpreters for the deaf.

(MRG)