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DEPARTMENT FOR AGING AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES AUXILIARY GRANT PROGRAM NON-SSI INCOME SOURCES 07/19 CHAPTER I, PAGE 89

71.3. Inclusion Of Other Payments The VA payment an individual receives will include the amount he/she is due as compensation or pension and may include other types of payments as well. Only the amount of the actual compensation or pension is countable as income. The total amount received may include: • Payment for the individual’s unusual medical expenses • A payment for the individual’s dependent (An augmented payment) • An aid and attendance or housebound allowance Each of these types of payments is not income for AG and must be excluded when determining countable income. 71.3.1. Verification Of Other Payments It is necessary to determine if the individual’s payment includes an additional amount for either of these other payments but it is not necessary to verify the actual amount of them. It is necessary to verify the amount of compensation or pension that is received. 71.4. Frequency Of Receipt Payments are usually paid monthly; however, when the monthly payment due is less than $19, VA will pay quarterly, biannually, or annually. VA may also make an extra payment if an underpayment is due. 71.5. Income Treatment VA pensions and compensation payments are unearned income and are subject to the unearned and general income exclusions. It is necessary to know if the VA compensation or pension is needs based or not in order to determine if the $20 General Exclusion can be applied. 70.5.1 Needs-Based Payments 71.5.1.1. Pension Payments Assume that a VA pension is partly or entirely needs based unless there is evidence to the contrary. All VA pension payments except those based on a Medal of Honor status or those granted by a special act of congress are federally funded income based on need.