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Compensation Considerations 
for Self-Advocates Receiving 
Government Benefits

Tip Sheet 
April 2018

How to use this tip sheet

This tip sheet gives basic information 
on some government means-tested 
benefits programs for people with 
disabilities and explains the potential 
effects that receiving compensation 
may have on their benefits. It also 
guides readers to additional resources 
for people with disabilities and their 
advocates. Please note that the tip 
sheet is for general informational 
purposes only and does not, nor is it 
intended to, constitute legal advice. 

For more detailed information on 
benefits-related programs, contact 
the resources in the final section or 
consult with an attorney. 

Legal aid organizations in your 
state, or your state’s protection and 
advocacy agency, should have 
attorneys who are experienced in 
federal and state benefits law and 
can apply the law to your specific 
circumstances.

People with disabilities are integral voices 
in the movement to end the violence that 
they experience. Paying people with 
disabilities for their work and involvement 
in these efforts is critical to ensuring equal 
justice and opportunity for all involved. 

Some people with disabilities receive 
means-tested or income-based benefits 
through government programs. Recipients 
must prove that their income is below a set 
level to be eligible. As a result, it is critical 
that they and the organizations that 
compensate them for their work are aware 
of how consultant fees, stipends, gift 
cards, and other forms of compensation 
may affect their eligibility for government 
benefits. 

The eligibility rules for government 
programs that provide benefits for 
people with disabilities are complicated. 
They sometimes restrict how much a 
recipient can earn. Nevertheless, there 
are many available resources—known 
as “employment supports” or “work 
incentives”—for people with disabilities 



Compensation Considerations for Self-Advocates Receiving Government Benefits

2

who want to be involved in efforts to end 
violence against people with disabilities 
and to receive compensation for their 
work. The information in this tip sheet can 
help people with disabilities to decide 
what work they can do while retaining the 
benefits they rely on for daily living. 

Compensation methods 

There are various ways that organizations 
and collaborations compensate people 
with disabilities for their involvement, 
time, and participation. Some of the types 
of compensation that might affect means-
tested benefits include:

› hourly wages, consultant fees, 
stipends, and honoraria 
(given as cash or by check);

› gift cards;

› travel tickets (for example, bus tickets, 
train tickets, or airplane tickets);

› reimbursement for travel expenses 
(for example, getting reimbursed 
for what a self-advocate spends on 
transportation, food, and lodging); 
and, 

› per-diem reimbursement for food and 
incidental expenses (a set daily sum for 
food and other expenses, regardless of 
what a person spends).

Federal and state 
income-based programs 

Many of the public benefits and programs 
that people with disabilities rely on—
such as those that assist with housing, 
health care, and money for food and 
other living expenses—require recipients 
to report any earnings. Many people 
with disabilities are enrolled in more than 
one of these programs. Organizations 
that plan to compensate people with 
disabilities thus must consider how 
compensation may affect each of 
the programs in which self-advocates 
participate. Below are descriptions of 
the benefits programs that people with 
disabilities most frequently rely upon 
and guidance on potential concerns 
regarding compensation.

Monthly income-support 
programs

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
perma.cc/W6W2-X9UT 

SSI is a federal income supplement 
program designed to help aged, blind, 
and people with disabilities who have 
little or no income. Based on both 
disability and financial need, SSI provides 
cash benefits to meet basic needs for 



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food, clothing, and shelter. In order to 
qualify for SSI benefits, a person can 
have no more than $2,000 in savings/
resources; a family can have no more 
than $3,000 in savings/resources. 

A person’s primary residence, primary 
vehicle, ABLE account (tax-advantaged 
savings accounts for people with 
disabilities and their families) (perma.
cc/9H9J-XAPY) balances, and other 
resources do not affect SSI eligibility, 
nor does it matter whether or not the 
person worked and paid into the Social 
Security system. 

Social Security Disability Insurance 
(SSDI) perma.cc/5LAK-T8CB 

This federal program pays benefits to 
individuals and certain members of 
the individual’s family if that person is 
“insured,” meaning that he or she worked 
long enough and paid sufficient Social 
Security taxes to become eligible for 
cash benefits. Unlike the other programs 
described here, SSDI benefits are based 
on a person’s earnings from employment 
and what they paid into the program. 

In order to qualify for SSDI, a person 
needs to have worked for a minimum 
amount of time depending on age when 
he or she becomes disabled; the benefit 
amount depends on the person’s income 
history and work duration. People on 
SSDI qualify for Medicare after two years. 
Disabled adult children and disabled 
spouses can sometimes receive SSDI 
benefits as well. 

Income as defined by SSI/SSDI

SSI and SSDI have separate income 
requirements and standards. However, as 
a baseline, it is important to understand 
what is considered income. 

Earned income – money earned for 
performing work. Limited if the person is 
on either SSI or SSDI.

Unearned income – payments from 
such sources as Social Security, veteran’s 
benefits, a pension, alimony, investments, 
or child support; limited under SSI.

In-kind income – any type of free 
rent/shelter or food benefits from a 
nongovernmental source. For example, 
if you are allowed to live rent-free with 
a friend or your parents, this will be 
considered income (equal to earning the 
amount of money you would otherwise 
have to pay for the food, rent, and life 
necessities being provided to you). This 
includes gift cards. 

Deemed income – a portion of income 
earned by other people in your house 
(for example, your spouse). This is called 
“deemed” income, because it is assumed 



Compensation Considerations for Self-Advocates Receiving Government Benefits

that a portion of this money will go 
toward your care and upkeep.

For SSI, earned income is counted 
as income after the first $65 per month. 
Half of any earned money over $65 
per month counts as earned income. 
Unearned income is counted as income 
after the first $20. Income above these 
amounts would decrease the monthly 
benefit payment dollar-for-dollar for the 
month of the income after the maximum 
allowed by the benefits program is met. 
If the income increase is sustained, it 
could affect eligibility unless the person 
enrolls in a work program. 

What is not income under SSI 
and SSDI? perma.cc/YV5T-TTHD

Expense reimbursement is not considered 
income. Advances or reimbursements 
paid specifically for traveling or for 
other ordinary and necessary expenses 
incurred in the employer’s business are 
not wages. The employer must identify 
travel and other expenses either by 
making a separate payment or by 
specifically stating the separate amounts 
if both wages and expense allowances 
are combined in a single payment. 

Per diem is not considered income 
(usually). As long as the per diem paid is 
not above the government rate, it is not 
considered income by the Social Security 
Administration (SSA). Anything above 
the government per diem rate is 
considered income. 

Income limits for SSI

The federal benefit rate (FBR) perma.
cc/WU2U-GWUJ represents both the SSI 
monthly income limit and the maximum 
federal monthly SSI payment (www.ssa.
gov/oact/cola/SSI.html). The 2018 FBR for 
SSI recipients is $750 per month for an 
eligible person and $1,125 per month for 
an eligible couple. This amount includes 
the SSI payment itself. If a person gets 
the maximum FBR, any additional income 
could adversely affect their benefits. 

Substantial gainful activity (SGA) 
under SSDI 

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, a person 
must be unable to engage in substantial 
gainful activity. The SSA uses the term 
“substantial gainful activity” to describe 
a level of work activity and earnings. 
According to SSA rules, work is substantial 
if it involves significant and productive 
duties and pays more than the SSA’s 
current monthly income limit. For work 
to be substantial, it does not need to be 
performed on a full-time basis. Gainful 
work activity is work performed for pay or 
profit; or of a nature generally performed 



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for pay or profit; or intended for profit, 
whether or not a profit is realized. 

The SSA uses what are called 
“earnings guidelines” perma.cc/N3VZ-
D6X4 to evaluate whether a person’s work 
activity is considered SGA for purposes of 
SSDI. The amount of monthly earnings the 
SSA considers to be SGA depends on the 
nature of a person’s disability:

› If a person’s disability is anything other 
than blindness, earnings averaging 
over $1,180 a month (for the year 2018) 
generally demonstrate SGA for SSDI 
recipients.

› If a person is blind, earnings averaging 
over $1,970 a month (for the year 2018) 
generally demonstrate SGA for SSDI 
recipients. 

This amount includes the SSDI payment 
itself. Unearned income, from real estate 
or investments, for example, is not 
factored into income for SSDI purposes. 

There are programs designed to 
encourage people on SSI and SSDI to 
return to work. If you or someone you 
know is interested in exploring these 
programs, see “Finding Answers to Your 
Questions,” page 10. 

Housing 

Public housing can also be affected by 
income. Programs administered by the 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 
Development (HUD) that seek to provide 
affordable housing for people with 
disabilities include:

Section 811 (Supportive Housing for 
Persons with Disabilities Program) 
perma.cc/NY3Z-XZ7A

This program provides affordable, 
accessible housing for non-elderly, 
very low-income people with significant 
disabilities. It is typically integrated into 
larger affordable housing apartment 
buildings and is linked with voluntary 
supports and services. Tenants pay 30 
percent of their adjusted income for rent, 
which ensures affordability for people 
who receive SSI.

Housing Choice Voucher Program 
(Section 8) 

This is HUD’s primary program for helping 
very low-income families, the elderly, and 
people with disabilities to afford decent, 
safe housing in the private market. 
(perma.cc/2M4T-YP6C) About one in three 
households using Section 8 vouchers is 
headed by a non-elderly (under age 62) 
person with a disability. Tenants must be 
low-income, and typically pay 30 percent 



Compensation Considerations for Self-Advocates Receiving Government Benefits

of their income for rent. Participants 
must find their own housing, but they 
can choose any housing that meets the 
program’s requirements. As a result of 
limited funding and high demand, most 
parts of the country have long waiting 
lists for Section 8 vouchers.

Public Housing 
perma.cc/TF9R-PV2X

About one in five households living 
in public housing are headed by a 
nonelderly (under age 62) person 
with a disability. Tenants must be low-
income, and typically pay 30 percent 
of their income for rent. As with Section 
8 vouchers, availability is limited, and 
applicants may be on waiting lists 
for years.

Income limits for housing programs
perma.cc/79WC-MYCB

The maximum income that a person can 
earn and still qualify for a government 
housing program depends on location. 
Income determines not only eligibility, 
but also what a person’s rent will be. HUD 
sets lower-income limits at 80 percent 
and very low-income limits at 50 percent 
of the median income for the county 
or metropolitan area in which a person 
chooses to live. Because rent is based 
on income, an increase in income can 
affect not only housing eligibility but also 
rental rates within the program. A person 
can, therefore, continue to be eligible but 
experience an increase in rent because of 
additional income. 

HUD measures income on an 
annual basis, and participants in these 
housing programs are required to 
project their income for the entire year. 
A local public housing agency makes 
the income determination at the time 
of the application, and the agency will 
reevaluate it each year thereafter. 

What HUD considers income 
perma.cc/FB7X-NMEE

› all amounts, monetary or not, that go 
to the family that aren’t otherwise not 
considered income 

› money received on a regular, 
reoccurring basis (monthly, 
weekly, etc.) 

› some welfare assistance payments

› reoccurring disability payments 
(SSI, SSDI). 

What HUD excludes from income

› amounts received by a family that are 
specifically for, or in reimbursement of, 
the cost of medical expenses 



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› temporary, nonrecurring, or sporadic 
income (including gifts) 

Note: HUD regulations do not define 
temporary, nonrecurring, or sporadic 
income. Each situation is different, and 
the person evaluating someone for 
eligibility would make the final decision in 
the case. 

HUD determines income based on 
very specific calculations of the number 
of family members, earned money, 
unearned money, geographic location, 
and housing costs. To get the correct 
information on eligibility and income 
calculation for these programs, speak 
to a legal aid organization, a housing 
advocate, or a housing agency. 

Medicaid 

This joint federal and state program 
helps with medical costs and insurance 
for some people with limited income and 
resources. It also offers such benefits as 
nursing home care and personal care 
services. Each state sets its own Medicaid 
eligibility rules. In some states, anyone 
on SSI qualifies for Medicaid. In others, 
applicants face income restrictions. A 
person whose income exceeds the state’s 
limit typically will need to purchase 
insurance from the insurance marketplace 
to maintain coverage; in some states, 
people can apply for “medically needy” 
status. The SSA generally calculates 
income for people who qualify for 
Medicaid because of disability in the 
same way it does for the purposes of 
assessing eligibility for SSI perma.cc/
SK78-WZSF. 

Medicare 

This federal health insurance program is 
for people who are 65 or older, certain 
younger people with disabilities (those on 
SSDI), and people with end-stage renal 
disease. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (SNAP) and Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program – 
Education (SNAP-Ed) 

Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP 
is a federal nutrition program that helps 
eligible low-income individuals and 
families augment their food budget. 
SNAP-Ed offers education programs on 
nutrition and obesity.

Health Insurance Marketplace 
subsidies 

The federal Affordable Care Act (also 
known as Obamacare) established health 
coverage available at reduced or no cost 
for people with incomes below certain 
income levels. In all states, household 



Compensation Considerations for Self-Advocates Receiving Government Benefits

income must be between 100 percent 
and 400 percent of the federal poverty 
level to qualify for a tax credit on health 
insurance premiums. 

Low Income Home Energy 
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 
perma.cc/DAN2-K4ZH

This program assists eligible low-income 
families with energy costs, such as 
electric and gas bills.

Examples of compensation 
considerations 

The examples below are hypothetical 
cases based on a thorough review of 
the regulations and rules. When reading 
them, assume that the person is not 
participating in a work-incentive program. 
In actual cases, program administrators 
analyze a variety of financial, medical, 
and other factors to determine eligibility. 
This is not legal advice and is not 
representative of what a Social Security 
administrator may decide in an individual 
case after a review of the facts. 

Example A 

Mattie participates in a collaboration’s 
self-advocate advisory committee. This 
advisory committee meets in person 
every other month, or six times a year. 
As compensation for her participation, 
Mattie receives:

› a $50 stipend or honorarium for each 
advisory committee meeting she 
attends, 

› a daily per diem of $25 to cover her 
meals (breakfast and lunch), and 

› reimbursement for travel-related costs 
to attend the meeting.

Potential impact: SSI

Per diem and reimbursement for actual 
travel-related costs are not considered 
income by SSA. The $50 stipend is earned 
income. However, since it is less than 
$65 per month, it will not be counted by 
SSA as income, even if she receives the 
maximum benefit rate. 

Potential impact: SSDI

Per diem and reimbursement for actual 
travel-related costs are not considered 
income by SSA. However, the $50 stipend 
would be considered income and be 
applied to the maximum monthly income 
Mattie is allowed to earn during the 
months that she receives the stipend. 
If she already receives the maximum 
substantial gainful activity amount, these 
earnings could affect her benefits. 



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Potential impact: housing and other 
means-tested programs

Mattie receives the $50 stipend bimonthly 
(regularly), so the total amount ($300) 
would count toward Mattie’s annual 
household income. It is likely that the per 
diem and reimbursements would also be 
considered income. Both her eligibility and 
her rent may be affected by the income. 

Example B 

Jess participates in an organization’s 
roundtable meeting. As compensation for 
her participation, she receives a stipend, 
meal cost reimbursement, and travel cost 
reimbursement. 

Potential impact: SSI

The SSA does not count reimbursements 
as income. However, Jess’s stipend would 
be considered earned income. Depending 
on the amount of the stipend, it may 
count as monthly income. If it is valued 
at less than $65, the SSA will not count it 
as income. If it is for more than $65, half 
of anything above that amount will count 
as income. If Jess makes the maximum 
federal benefit rate, the additional 
income with decrease her benefits dollar 
for dollar. 

Potential impact: SSDI

The SSA does not count reimbursements 
as income. However, the SSA would 
consider Jess’s stipend as income and 
apply it to the maximum income she is 
allowed to earn during the month that 
she receives the stipend. If she already 
receives the maximum substantial gainful 
activity amount, these earnings could 
affect her benefits.

Potential impact: housing and other 
means-tested programs

The gift card is not likely to count as 
income if it is a one-time payment. 
However, the reimbursements would 
probably be considered income. Her 
eligibility and/or her rent could be 
affected by the additional income. 

Example C

Grant participates in a disability grant 
collaboration’s focus group, for which he 
receives a $20 gift card. 

Potential impact: SSI

The gift card is in-kind earned income, but 
because it is less than $65 it will not count 
as income, even if he makes the maximum 
federal benefit rate. 



Compensation Considerations for Self-Advocates Receiving Government Benefits

Potential impact: SSDI

The gift card would count as in-kind 
earned income and count toward the 
maximum monthly income Grant is 
allowed to earn during the months that 
he receives the stipend. If he already 
receives the maximum substantial gainful 
activity amount, these earnings could 
affect his benefits.

Potential impact: housing and other 
means-tested programs

The gift card would likely not count as 
income if it is a one-time payment. 

Finding answers to 
your questions

The following agencies, specialists, 
and organizations can help you learn 
about the stipulations regarding your 
government benefits and determine 
whether compensation will affect the 
benefits you receive:

SSA claims representative – If you are 
a beneficiary of SSI or SSDI, there is a 
claims representative at the SSA’s field 
office who is designated to help with 
questions. Contact your local SSA office 
for more information. If you have Internet 
access, you can find your local office 
by going to the Social Security Office 
Locator on the website, Social Security 
Online, at perma.cc/497T-HXRY

› Enter your postal ZIP Code to get 
the address, telephone number, and 
directions to your local office. 

Protection and advocacy for 
beneficiaries of Social Security 
(PABSS) – This program provides 
advocacy and other services to assist 
beneficiaries of Social Security secure 
or regain gainful employment. Every 
Protection and Advocacy agency has 
PABSS and could refer you to benefits 
counseling. To locate the program in your 
state, go to perma.cc/XX75-KZDA 

National Association of Benefits 
and Work Incentives Specialists 
(NABWIS) – Professional organization of 
the professionals who assist people who 
receive disability benefits. To learn more, 
go to perma.cc/8GC6-K3NP. 

Listed below are some additional 
resources to help self-advocates get more 
information on work-incentives programs: 

Work incentives planning and 
assistance (WIPA) – WIPA projects are 
community-based organizations that 
receive grants from SSA to provide all 
SSI disability beneficiaries (including 



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transition-to-work aged youth) with free 
access to work incentives planning and 
assistance. WIPA services are available 
in every state, the District of Columbia, 
and the U.S. territories. To locate the WIPA 
organization nearest you, call 1-866-968-
7842 (Voice) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). You 
also can find contact information in the 
SSA service provider directory at 
perma.cc/29JW-7F98. 

SSI work incentives – If you already 
receive SSI benefits and are thinking 
about returning to work, go to perma.
cc/YCM8-FL8T for information about SSI 
work incentives. 

For more information about work 
incentives for SSDI beneficiaries, go to 
perma.cc/244R-KHQH.

Additional resources 

Disability.gov provides an online portal 
to some of the most frequently used 
websites related to disability benefits and 
resources, at perma.cc/634D-ULLK.

The SSA website includes a number of 
links and resources about SSI and SSDI. 
The SSA’s Red Book is an online resource 
for information about SSI, SSDI, and 
many work-incentives programs. 

Housing Choice Voucher Program 
(Section 8) portal, at perma.cc/VS8K-
FXFN.

Health Insurance Marketplace online 
fact sheet, at perma.cc/R3GQ-JWMS. 



Compensation Considerations for Self-Advocates Receiving Government Benefits

Compensation 
considerations checklist

Part A: General questions 

Is a self-advocate providing service, 
expertise, or otherwise participating 
in a roundtable, meeting, focus group, 
or other event convened by your 
organization? 

¨ Yes

¨ No 

Does the self-advocate receive any of the 
following benefits? 

¨ SSI

¨ SSDI

¨ Medicaid

¨ Section 8 housing voucher

¨ Section 811 supportive housing for 
persons with disabilities program 
housing 

¨ SNAP; HUD housing programs other 
than those listed above; health 
insurance marketplace subsidies; 
low-income home energy assistance 
program 

¨ No, the self-advocate does not 
receive any of these benefits.

¨ I do not know.

If the answer to the second question 
is “No,” there are no compensation 
considerations and you can compensate 
participants in whatever way you choose. 

If the answer to the second question is 
“I don’t know,” proceed to Part B.

If the answers to both of these questions 
is “Yes,” proceed to Part C, D, E, or F 
(depending on benefit type). 

Part B: Does the person receive 
benefits? 

To determine whether the self-advocate 
receives benefits: 

› Ask the self-advocate. 

› Ask the self-advocate’s guardian, 
if there is one. 

› Ask the self-advocate’s benefits 
coordinator if there is one 
(with the self-advocate’s permission).

› Ask if the self-advocate has a 
representative payee who acts 
as the receiver of SSDI or SSI and, 
if yes, speak to that person 
(with the self-advocate’s permission). 

› Ask a direct service professional 
(with the self-advocate’s permission). 

› Use common sense — if you cannot find 
out, err on the side of caution and assume 
the self-advocate is receiving benefits. 



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If you discover that the self-advocate is 
receiving benefits, proceed to Part C, D, 
E, or F. 

If you discover that the self-advocate 
is not receiving benefits, there are no 
compensation considerations and 
you can compensate in whatever way 
you choose.

Part C: Disability Benefits

If the self-advocate is receiving SSI: 

Does the self-advocate receive the 
maximum federal benefit rate, 
$750 for an individual or $1,125 for 
a couple in 2018?

¨ Yes

¨ No

Does the self-advocate receive a 
lower amount?

¨ Yes

¨ No

 If the self-advocate receives the maximum 
benefit, half of any additional income 
above $65 of earned income, or $20 
of unearned income, will decrease the 
self-advocate’s SSI or that month dollar 
for dollar. 

If the self-advocate does not receive the 
maximum benefit, he or she can receive 
the difference between the maximum 
benefit and the actual benefit as 
additional income. The first $65 of 
earned income and $20 of unearned 
income still do not count as income. 

Determine if your payment is income – 
Is it: 

¨ expense reimbursement

¨ per diem

¨ earned income

¨ unearned income

¨ in-kind income (including gift cards)

¨ deemed income

If the payment is an expense 
reimbursement or per diem, it is not 
income. If the payment is any other 
type of payment, it is income. 

If the payment is earned income: 

› The first $65 per month is not counted 
as income. Half of everything over $65 
is income. 

› Does the additional income that is 
counted put the person’s income above 
the maximum federal benefit amount? 
If not, the income will have no impact. 



Compensation Considerations for Self-Advocates Receiving Government Benefits

If the payment is unearned income: 

› The first $20 per month is not counted 
as income. Everything more than $20 
is income. 

› Does the additional income that is 
counted put the person’s income above 
the maximum federal benefit amount? 
If not, the income will have no impact. 

› If the payment puts the person’s 
income above the maximum per month, 
whatever you pay the person will be 
deducted from the person’s SSI. 

If the self-advocate is receiving SSDI: 

› Is the person blind? 

¨ Yes

¨ No 

› Does the person have any disability 
besides blindness? 

¨ Yes

¨ No 

Determine if your payment is income – 
Is it:

¨ expense reimbursement

¨ per diem

¨ earned income

¨ unearned income

¨ in-kind income (including gift cards)

¨ deemed income 

If the payment is an expense 
reimbursement or per diem, it is not 
income. If the payment is any other type 
of payment, it is income. 

If the person is blind, $1,970 of income a 
month demonstrates substantial gainful 
activity and could affect benefits.

If the person has any other disability, 
$1,180 of income a month demonstrates 
substantial gainful activity and could 
affect benefits.

If additional income will put the person 
above the allowable substantial gainful 
activity amount, the benefits are in 
jeopardy of being reduced or terminated.

If a person receives either SSI or SSDI, 
remember to inquire with the SSA or 
other agency about job programs and 
incentives. 

Part D: Medicaid 

If a person is on Medicaid: 

Find out more about the requirements for 
Medicaid eligibility and relevant income 
limits in the person’s state of residency at 
perma.cc/R245-NV9N.



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Determine if your payment is income – 
Is it:

¨ expense reimbursement

¨ per diem

¨ earned income

¨ unearned income

¨ in-kind income (including gift cards)

¨ deemed income

If the payment is an expense 
reimbursement or per diem, it is not 
income. If the payment is any other 
type of payment, it is income. 

Check to determine if the additional 
income puts the person over the limit for 
Medicaid eligibility. The same exceptions 
for SSI apply to Medicaid income: The 
first $20 of unearned income and the first 
$65 of earned income are not considered 
income for this determination.

Part E: Housing

If the person receives housing assistance 
through Section 8, Section 811, or other 
public housing program: 

Determine if the payment is income – 
Is it:

¨ money received on a regular, reoccurring 
basis (monthly, weekly, etc.)

¨ a reoccurring disability payment 

¨ a welfare assistance program 
payment

¨ another form of payment, monetary 
or not, which is not specifically NOT 
income 

What is not income: 

› money received for, or in reimbursement 
of, the cost of medical expenses

› temporary, nonrecurring, or sporadic 
income (including gifts)

If your payment is income, be attentive to 
the program’s stipulations. All income is 
included in not only determining whether 
a person qualifies for a housing program, 
but in setting the person’s rent. Even a 
slight increase in annual income could 
result in a rent increase. 

Part F: Other benefits

 Income can affect other benefits, 
including SNAP benefits, health insurance 
marketplace subsidies, and LIHEAP 
benefits. 

Check with administrators of each 
program for eligibility information. 



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For more information

The Center on Victimization and Safety 
(CVS) at the Vera Institute of Justice works 
with communities around the country 
to fashion services that reach, appeal 
to, and benefit all victims. CVS’s work 
focuses on communities of people who 
are at elevated risk of harm but often 
marginalized from victim services and 
the criminal justice system. We combine 
research, technical assistance, and 
the training to equip policymakers and 
practitioners with the information, skills, 
and resources needed to effectively 
serve all victims. To learn more about 
CVS, contact cvs@vera.org. 

This project was supported by Grant 
No. 2016-TA-AX-K068 awarded by the U.S. 
Department of Justice (DOJ), Office 
on Violence Against Women (OVW). 
The opinions, findings, conclusions, 
and recommendations expressed in this 
publication are those of the authors(s) 
and do not necessarily reflect the views 
of DOJ, OVW.