Preparing for the Countable Income Test

If you are preparing for a “countable income test” in your application for benefits the Supplemental Security Income program you will need to collect financial documents evidencing all the income sources you have in cash, checking and savings accounts and any other funds you receive regularly that can be used to pay for food or shelter. A single person can have resources worth up to two thousand dollars and yet be eligible for SSI benefits and a couple can have resources worth up to three thousand dollars and still be eligible for SSI benefits. 

Income Sources They Count

• Wages from your job
• Net earnings from your business if self-employed
• The value of food or shelter that someone gives you, or the amount of money some gives you to help pay for them
• Department of Veterans Affairs benefits
• Railroad retirement and railroad unemployment benefits;
• Annuities, pensions from any government or private source, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance benefits, black lung benefits and Social Security benefits
• Prizes, settlements and awards, including court ordered awards
• Proceeds of life insurance policies
• Gifts and contributions
• Support and alimony payments
• Inheritances in cash or property
• Interest earned, including interest on savings, checking and other accounts
• Rental income and
• Strike pay and other benefits from unions

Income Sources Not Counted

• Most types of interest and dividend income
• Income tax refunds
• Earned Income Tax Credit payments
• Payments made by life or disability insurance on charge accounts or other credit accounts
• Proceeds of a loan
• Bills paid by someone else for things other than food, clothing or shelter
• Replacement of lost or stolen income

Supplemental Security Income program will verify your claimed wages or self-employment income.  Bring with you all your pay slips, including pay slips for overtime, vacations or bonuses. If you are self-employed, bring copies of your federal/state income tax forms.  If you have children bring court ordered child support payments, alimony payments and other modes of supporting your dependants.

Getting Legal Help

If you or a member of your family need to access Supplemental Security Income benefits and is unsure about the process of determining income level to be eligible to receive benefits it may be helpful to discuss your financial circumstances with a disability lawyer.  An attorney can provide valuable guidance on the SSI program’s countable income test for eligibility and assist in the process of isolating and gathering the appropriate financial documents to submit to facilitate an approval for benefits.