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UPDATED: AUGUST 1999

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INCOME

UNEARNED

Description: Unearned income is income which is paid because of a legal or moral obligation rather than for current services performed. It includes pensions, government benefits, dividends, interest, insurance compensation and other types of payments.

Policy: The available net amount of unearned income, in addition to any other countable income, is compared to the appropriate income level.

References: SSL Sect. 366.2

Dept. Reg. 360-4.3 Interpretation: The following types of unearned income are described in detail in this section: Unemployment Insurance Benefits; NYS Disability Benefits and Workers' Compensation Social Security, Railroad Retirement, Veterans' Benefits; Dividends and interest; Private pensions/Retirement Funds; Union benefits; Support payments (voluntary and court-ordered); Contributions from relatives and friends; Income from rental of property; Military Dependency allotments; and Reverse Mortgages.

Unearned income is verified as to the amount, type and frequency, and the information is documented in the case record. Disposition: When the gross unearned income has been determined, disregards are deducted to result in available net unearned income. This, in addition to any other countable income, is then compared to the appropriate income level in determining eligibility for Medicaid.

(MRG)