55 Pa. Code § 181.101
Annuities, pensions and other periodic payments which include, but are not limited to, private pensions, social security benefits including Part B Medicare premiums, disability benefits, veterans benefits, worker’s compensation, railroad retirement, unemployment insurance benefits, dividends, interest and royalties are counted as unearned income. In some cases, the amount counted as unearned income is more than the actual amount received by the applicant/recipient. This occurs when the amount received by the applicant/recipient is reduced for a debt resulting from an overpayment of a previously received benefit, or by deduction of an insurance premium. In this situation, the actual amount to count as unearned income is the amount of the unearned income benefit to which the applicant/recipient is entitled before the deduction of an insurance premium or the reduction to recover an overpayment unless § 181.123(14) (relating to unearned income exclusions) applies.
The provisions of this § 181.101 issued under section 403(b) of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. § 403(b)).
The provisions of this § 181.101 adopted August 26, 1988, effective November 1, 1988, 18 Pa.B. 3949.
Disability Benefits
Disability benefits are unearned income even though the stub of the disability check from employer’s insurance carrier designated the income as sick pay. Goldstein v. Department of Public Welfare, 654 A.2d 295 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1995).
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Pursuant to 55 Pa. Code § § 181.2, 181.132 and this section, workers’ compensation benefits and disability insurance were properly calculated as unearned income which must be counted for purposes of Medical Assistance eligibility. Goldstein v. Department of Public Welfare, 654 A.2d 295 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1995).
This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 181.71 (relating to special NMP-MA income limit for institutionalized aged, blind and disabled persons); and 55 Pa. Code § 181.452 (relating to posteligibility determination of income available from an MA eligible person toward his cost of care).