| AwardYear: 1995-1996 ChapterNumber: 4 ChapterTitle: Discretionary Verification Section: Verifying Untaxed Income and Benefits PageNumber: Welfare Benefits Generally, "welfare benefits" include the untaxed income that individuals receive from federal or state public assistance programs, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). Receipt of such benefits can be verified by contacting the paying offices, or through documentation available from the applicant. Worker's Compensation These benefits can be verified through the applicant's employer or with documentation available from the applicant. Check to see if the applicant's workers' compensation benefits have covered medical expenses claimed by the applicant. Veterans Noneducational Benefits These benefits result from such programs as Death Pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and can be verified through the Department of Veterans' Affairs or through documentation available from the applicant. Housing, Food, and Other Living Allowances This includes only allowances paid as job compensation to members of the military, clergy, etc. Rent subsidies for low-income housing should not be counted as income. In verifying this amount, you should include cash payments and assess the cash value of the benefits. Cash Support Any income or any money paid on behalf of a dependent student's parents or an independent student (or spouse) should be considered untaxed income. For examples, refer to the Counselor's Handbook. Untaxed Portion of Pensions This amount can be verified from IRS Form 1040 or 1040a, line 10a minus 10b, and line 11a minus 11b. Tax-exempt Interest Income This amount can be verified from IRS Form 1040 or 1040a, line 8b. Other Untaxed Income and Benefits This would include benefits such as Black Lung Benefits, Refugee Assistance, and untaxed portions of Railroad Retirement Benefits. To verify these income and benefit amounts, you may accept a statement, signed by the applicant, detailing the sources and the amounts received. (If the applicant completed a verification worksheet, he or she may have included this statement.) |