Which sources of income count in determining eligibility for the low-income subsidies?

The amount of help available to low-income beneficiaries depends on the amount of most types of income they receive, also known as countable income. In general, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rules will be used to determine if beneficiaries meet the income limits for the low-income subsidies. Common sources of income that count are:

• Social Security benefits
• Railroad Retirement benefits
• Pensions or annuities (including veterans' pensions)
• Alimony
• Rental income (net)
• Workers compensation
• Wages (gross) or earnings from self-employment (net)

If the beneficiary receives Social Security benefits for a disability or blindness and has work-related expenses that are not reimbursable by his/her employer, these expenses will be deducted before earned income is counted. 

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