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24. Virtual Currency Virtual currency is money that is a digital system not in U.S. dollars or other money system backed by a government. Examples may include, but are not limited to, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Traditional currency, such as the U.S. dollar, is used to purchase virtual currency, and virtual currency may be sold for traditional currency. Virtual currency does not refer to Venmo or PayPal. Venmo and PayPal are payment services that facilitate the movement of funds between people or businesses; they are not currencies. Income earned via Venmo or PayPal sales would most likely fall under self-employment income policies, not virtual currency. Virtual currency is counted as income when it is received in the following situations: • Received as payment for goods or services • Received by an independent contractor for performing services • Received from an employer as remuneration for services (that is, wages) If virtual currency is sold, income received from the sale is counted as income for BadgerCare Plus only if the income is regular and predictable or if the sale occurs as part of a trade or business. 25. Railroad Retirement Benefits Although a portion of Railroad Retirement benefits are usually not taxable, they all must be counted as unearned income. Count all Railroad Retirement benefits as unearned income in the month received. 26. Prizes and Awards Count cash prizes and awards. If the prize of award is in the form of a good or service, count the fair market value of the prize of award. 27. Imputed Income Count imputed income. Imputed income is noncash taxable compensation that is included in an employee's gross pay. Example 5 According to Olga’s paystub, her employer pays the cost of her long-term disability insurance premium. The value of this compensation is imputed income. Imputed income equal to the amount of the premium is added to Olga’s earnings before taxes are taken out. This imputed income is countable income for BadgerCare Plus. 28. Strike Benefits Count benefits paid by a union, such as a strike or lockout benefits, as income. Note Strike benefits are usually taxable compensation, even if taxes are not withheld from the payments upfront. Strike benefits can only be disregarded for BadgerCare Plus if it is clear that the union intended them as gifts. 29.Restricted Stock Contributions Count restricted stock contributions as income only after the stock has been substantially vested. This page last updated in Release Number: 26-03 Release Date: 08/12/2026 Effective Date: 08/12/2026