FAA4.H Unearned Income (UNIN UNIC) : 03 Types of Unearned Income - Overview : TT Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits
Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits
 
REVISION 49
(01/01/21 - 12/31/21)
SSA benefits include the following:
 
●Retirement
●Survivors
●Disability Insurance (RSDI)
 
These payments can be received by any of the following:
 
●Entitled wage earners
●Dependent children of the entitled wage earner
 
NOTE A child may be receiving SSA benefits as a result of a parent's or stepparent's death, retirement, or disability. Siblings may also be receiving SSA benefits. Inquire further when this information does not display on ININ.
 
●Surviving spouse(g) of an entitled wage earner
 
SSA benefits are countable for NA and CA.
 
Count the gross amount of the SSA benefits rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.
 
NOTE Do not deduct the Medicare Premium from the gross amount of the SSA benefits.
 
 
When an organization withholds a fee to act as a representative payee for an SSDI participant, deduct the monthly fee from the gross income. The amount of the fee is not countable.
 
When it is determined that an overpayment exists, complete the following to determine whether the overpayment amount should be deducted:
 
●Discuss with the participant the reason for the overpayment and document the reason in the case file(g).
●Request hard copy or collateral contact verification for the reason of the overpayment only when one of the following occurs:
The reason for the overpayment is questionable(g).
The participant does not know the reason for the overpayment.
●Key the gross amount of the SSA benefit on UNIN when one of the following occurs:
The reason for the overpayment cannot be determined.
The overpayment is not being deducted due to an overpayment from the same income source(g).
The participant does not provide verification for the reason of the overpayment, when requested.
 
NOTE Do not deny or stop benefits.
 
●Key the gross income minus the overpayment amount (net income) when the overpayment is being deducted due to an overpayment from the same income source.
●Document the case file to support why the gross or net income was keyed. (See Example Budgeting Net Income Documentation)
 
When there is a discrepancy in the amount shown in the verification compared to what is stated by the participant, verify the SSA amount through an interface with one of the following:
 
●HEAplus State Online Query Internet (SOLQI) Response Data Summary
See the SOLQI Desk Reference Guide located in the FAA Policy Support SharePoint Site Doc Library for guidance (internal use only)
●Wire Third Party Query Information (WTPI)
 
Count SSA benefits paid to a representative payee on behalf of a participant when one of the following occurs:
 
●The payee lives with the budgetary unit
●The payee lives outside the home and makes the income available for the support of the participant (See Example Representative Payee)
 
NOTE The SSA benefits do not need to be given directly to the budgetary unit by the payee but must be used to provide for the needs of the participant, to be considered countable.
 
CA WARNING
The participant may receive both SSI and SSA. Count only the portion of the SSA income that is designated for a spouse or dependent toward the CA budgetary unit.
 
Key unearned income on UNIC using the Unearned Income Code that applies to the Unearned Income Type. (See Display Table Values – Overview to access a list of current codes.)
 
Key the gross amount of the SSA benefits rounded down to the nearest whole dollar unless overpayment recoupment or representative monthly fees deductions are applicable.
 
NOTE Do not deduct the Medicare Premium from the gross amount of the SSA benefits.