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DEPARTMENT FOR AGING AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AUXILIARY GRANT PROGRAM NON-SSI INCOME SOURCES 07/19 CHAPTER I, PAGE 87

An augmented benefit is an increase in benefit payment to a veteran or a veteran's surviving spouse or higher VA income eligibility limits, because of a dependent. (For AG purposes, the augmented benefit includes a beneficiary’s portion and one or more dependents’ portion). An augmented VA benefit usually is issued as a single payment to the veteran or the veteran's surviving spouse. 69.1. Income Treatment An absent dependent's portion of an augmented VA benefit, received by the designated beneficiary on or after November 17, 1994 is not VA income to either the dependent or the individual receiving it. This is true even if the designated beneficiary continues to receive the absent dependent's portion. Note: If the absent dependent is the AG applicant/recipient, he/she will be required to file for apportionment of the augmented VA benefit. Apportionment would have the absent dependent’s portion of the benefit issued directly to the dependent. See Chapter C – 10. 69.1.1. Portion Given To Absent Dependent A payment from a designated beneficiary to an absent dependent is not VA income to the absent dependent. It is unearned income in the form of a gift, a support payment, or other income. Example: Robert Jones, age 17, and his father Raymond Jones is an AG recipient. Raymond Jones' VA pension is $450 per month, which includes a $50 portion for Robert as his only dependent. Because Robert is an absent dependent, the $50 Mr. Jones receives on behalf of Robert is not income to himself or Robert. The worker counts $400 as VA pension income for Mr. Jones. 69.2. Verification It is necessary to determine if the individual’s payment includes an additional amount for dependents but it is not necessary to verify the actual amount of them. It is necessary to verify the amount of compensation or pension that the individual receives for her/himself. Use the following verification methods. • A VA award letter or comparable document in the individual's possession;