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DEPARTMENT FOR AGING AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AUXILIARY GRANT PROGRAM NON-SSI INCOME SOURCES 07/19 CHAPTER I, PAGE 98

72.5.1.1. Verification of Expenses Determine the amount of tuition, fees, and other necessary educational expenses. • Use receipts, bills with cancelled checks, contact with the provider, etc., to verify expenses paid. If an expense is verified as incurred but not paid, assume the individual will pay the expense unless you have reason to question the situation. No follow-up is required if the assumption is applied. • Use your judgment to determine whether payment of an expense was a necessary part of obtaining an education. • A signed allegation is acceptable evidence of expenses when it is unreasonable to obtain other evidence (e.g., daily bus-fare, small expendable items, etc.). Do not apply this tolerance to major expenses such as tuition, fees, and books. 72.5.2. Other Exclusions The unearned general income exclusions may be applied to VA educational assistance. They are applied to the balance remaining after the exclusion of necessary educational expenses.

73. VA Unusual Medical Expenses Payment Not Income VA considers unusual medical expenses when determining some needs-based pension and compensation payments. Expenses which exceed 5 percent of the maximum annual VA payment rate are considered unusual. The amount of the unusual medical expenses is deducted from countable income when computing the VA payment. As a result, the veteran, survivor, or dependent may receive a higher monthly VA payment, an extra payment, or an increase in an extra payment. 73.1. Income Treatment VA payments resulting from unusual medical expenses are not income.