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DEPARTMENT FOR AGING AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AUXILIARY GRANT PROGRAM NON-SSI INCOME SOURCES 07/19 CHAPTER I, PAGE 24

19. Civil Service And Federal Employee Retirement Payments Unearned Income The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) makes U.S. Civil Service and Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) payments because of disability, retirement, or death. 19.1. Income Treatment In general, U.S. Civil Service and FERS payments are unearned income to the entitled retiree or individual survivor and are subject to the unearned and general income exclusions. Note: These payments are unearned income to the individual who is entitled to the payment, even when additional monies for other family members are included in the payment. 19.1.1. Certain Disability Benefits Certain disability benefits paid within the first 6 months after an employee last worked are earned income. See Sick Pay Chapter I – 60 for an explanation of benefits falling under this exception. 19.1.2. Countable Civil Service and FERS Income The amount of the Civil Service and FERS payments to count as income is the amount before the collection of any obligations of the individual (unless the overpayment related double counting exception applies. See Overpayments Chapter I – 47) 19.2. Verification To verify the gross amount of the OPM payment, use notices or other documents in the individual's possession (other than a check). Do not use a check alone to verify the amount of the OPM payment because a check is not reliable evidence of the gross amount. If the individual has no acceptable documents, instruct him/her to write or telephone OPM. The individual must provide his/her name and annuity claim identification number (a seven-digit number with a “CSA” or “CSF” prefix). If the claim number is not available, provide the individual's date of birth and Social Security number.