Page 21
attending school, a set amount of earned income per month up to a yearly maximum may be excluded. The Federal government determines the monthly and maximum amounts based on variety of factors and adjusts the figures annually to reflect increases in the cost living. 7. Work-Related Expenses of Blind Persons – Earned income used to meet any expenses reasonably attributable to the earning of the income by a person who is blind and under age sixty-five (65) or received SSI as a blind person for the month before reaching the age sixty-five (65). Further, expenses may be disregarded if the person has an approved plan for self- support (PASS). The amounts must be reasonable and not exceed the earned income of the blind person or a blind spouse. See references on PASS, including types of expenses that qualify for this disregard in § 3.4.2(A)(3) of this Part. 3.4.4 Unearned Income Disregards and Exclusions A. Exclusions on unearned income never reduce unearned income below zero (0). Except for the twenty dollars ($20.00) general unearned income exclusion, no other unused unearned income exclusions may be applied to earned income. SSI methodology uses the following when considering whether an unearned income disregard or exclusion applies: 1. Assistance Based on Need – This is unearned income which is wholly funded by the State or a local subdivision. Assistance based on need is disregarded whether provided in-cash or in-kind as it is provided through programs that use a person’s income as factor when determining eligibility for benefits or assistance. Assistance based on need that is not counted as unearned income includes the optional State Supplemental Payment (SSP). 2. Burial Funds – Interest earned on the value of excluded burial funds is excluded from income (and resources) if left to accumulate in the burial fund. Interest earned on agreements representing the purchase of an excluded burial space is excluded from income (and resources) but only if left to accumulate. If not left to accumulate – that is, paid directly to the person, spouse or parent – the receipt of the interest may result in countable income. 3. Child Support and Arrearage Payments – One third (1/3) of a child support payment made to or for a child by a non-custodial parent is excluded. A parent is considered non-custodial if the parent and the child do not reside in the same household. The other types of these support and arrearage payments that are excluded are: a. Court ordered health care support payments;