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UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2007 243

INCOME SSI-RELATED BUDGETING METHODOLOGY

IMPAIRMENT-RELATED WORK EXPENSES

• specially designed work tools.

• Residential modifications in the form of changes to the exterior of his/her home in order to create a working space to accommodate an impairment (e.g., enlargement of a doorway leading into the office, modification of work space to accommodate problems in dexterity).

NOTE: For a self-employed person, any cost deducted as a business expense cannot be deducted as an impairment-related work expense.

• Costs of a Seeing Eye dog, including food, licenses and veterinarian services.

• Costs of structural or operational modifications to a vehicle required by an individual in order to get to and from work;

• Mileage allowance for an approved vehicle limited to travel related to employment; AND,

• Cost of driver assistance or taxicabs where such special transportation is not generally required by an unimpaired individual in the community.

These kinds of expenses are generally not covered by Medicaid.

An impairment-related work expense is allowed when it is necessary for employment, even though the A/R may use the “item” outside of work and/or his/her family may benefit from it. For example, the expense of special equipment on a car, needed by a paraplegic for transportation to and from work, is

(MRG)