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DEPARTMENT FOR AGING AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AUXILIARY GRANT PROGRAM NON-SSI INCOME SOURCES 07/19 CHAPTER I, PAGE 96

72.2.1. Vocational Rehabilitation Payments made as part of a VA program of vocational rehabilitation are not income. This includes any augmentation for dependents. 72.2.2. Withdrawal of Contributions Any portion of a VA educational benefit which is a withdrawal of the veteran's own contribution is conversion of a resource and is not income. 72.2.3. Augmented Benefits Benefits issued under Chapter 31 (Training and Rehabilitation for Veterans with Service Connected Disabilities) or a VA program of vocational rehabilitation may be augmented. The augmented portion of the payment is not income to the individual. 72.3. Contributory/Non-Contributory Programs Some VA educational benefits are based on contributions by the veteran and some are not. A “contributory” VA educational program is one in which the veteran contributed to the educational fund while in the service and VA matches the money when the veteran withdraws it to pursue an education. A “non- contributory” VA educational program is one in which the veteran did not contribute to the educational fund. 72.3.1. “Contributory” Programs Only one of the VA educational benefits programs is contributory, Chapter 32 (Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). Payments from this program may include funds the individual contributed and VA funds. Any portion of a VA educational benefit which is a withdrawal of the veteran's own contribution is conversion of a resource and is not income. The remaining portion of the benefits is unearned income subject to the exclusion for educational expenses. 72.3.1.1. Verification Verify this information with the VARO. Ask them to verify the dollar amount of the periodic payments and the amount of the payment that represents a return of the veteran's own contribution. 72.3.2. “Non-Contributory” Programs