Page 4

Aged, Blind and Disabled Manual Policy Manual Number: 110.005 Section: Financial Eligibility Requirements Chapter: ABD Income Overview November 01, 2021 Division of TennCare 4

4. When Income is Counted Count income at the earliest of the following points: a. When it is received; b. When it is credited to an individual’s account; or c. When it is set aside for her use. An exception to this is when a regular periodic payment (such as wages, Social Security, or Veterans Affairs benefits) is received in a month other than the month of normal receipt. If there is no intent to interrupt the regular payment schedule, consider the funds to be income in the normal month of receipt. When a payer advance dates a check because the regular payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, there is no intent to change the normal delivery date or to disrupt the existing relationship between the check receipt and SSI benefits. When an individual’s money goes to a bank by direct deposit, the funds may be posted to the account before or after the month they are payable. When this occurs, the funds count as income in the month of normal receipt. When a third party payment results in an individual’s receipt of In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM), determine the month in which the individual receives the ISM. 5. Amount Counted as Income a. Garnishment or Other Withholding Income includes amounts withheld because of a garnishment or other payments (such as payment of Medicare premiums). Income includes amounts withheld from income whether the withholding is purely voluntary, to repay a debt, or to meet a legal obligation. Some items for which amounts may be withheld but considered received are: i. Federal, state or local income taxes; ii. Health or life insurance premiums; iii. Supplemental Medical Insurance (SMI) premiums; iv. Union dues; v. Penalty deductions for failure to report changes; vi. Loan payments; vii. Garnishments; viii. Legally obligated child support; ix. Legally obligated child support arrearage;