Page 8

Families and Children Manual Section: Financial Eligibility Policy Manual Number: 010.045 Chapter: Medically Needy Countable and Excluded Income

November 01, 2021 Division of TennCare 8

Interest income and dividends can be countable or excluded, depending on the treatment of the source of the interest or dividend. If the interest-bearing resource is counted, the interest income is excluded. If the interest-bearing resource is excluded, the interest income is counted, unless specifically excluded under federal statute. Interest bearing resources include the following:

• Certificate of Deposit; • Checking Account; • Life insurance; • Mutual Funds; • Retirement account; • Savings account; and • Stocks and Bonds.

If interest income is countable, count it at the earliest of the following:

• Income is credited to an individual’s account and is available for use; • Income is set aside for the individual’s use; or • When the income is actually received by the individual. Jury Duty Count in the month received. Any jury duty pay that is turned over to an individual’s employer is excluded. Pension If pension payments are made, count in the month received. Railroad Retirement Countable income in the month received. Rental or Lease Unearned income when the individual is not actively engaged in producing the income, or bears no responsibility in earning the income. Count the amount of income remaining after expenses related to maintaining the property are applied. Sick Pay/Disability Pay Unearned income when payments are being made 6 months or more after the individual stopped working. Social Security Disability Benefit (SSDI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is received when an individual is under the full retirement age of 65, but has enough Social Security credits and a severe medical impairment that prevents her from working for a year or more, or could result in death. Social Security Disability benefits are countable unearned income in the month received. Social Security Survivor or Retirement Benefit

Countable unearned income in the month of receipt. Social Security Retirement benefits are received once an individual reaches the full retirement age of 65 and has enough Social Security credits.