What does not count as income?
Not all cash payments count as income. For example, the Social Security Administration does not count the following items as income:- Food stamp assistance
- Housing assistance;
- Home energy assistance;
- Medical treatment and drugs (also see Medicaid "Spend Down");
- Disaster assistance;
- Earned income tax credit payments;
- Assistance from others to pay your household expenses;
- Victim’s compensation payments; and
- Scholarships and education grants.
Also see:
- 2026 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines (FPL): 2026/2027 LIS Qualifications and Benefits
- 2027 Low-Income Subsidy Benchmark Premium Amounts (includes 2026 - 2006 for comparison)
- What is the income limit for extra help?
- What does not count toward the income limit?
- What is the resource limit?
- What does not count as a resource?
- Income and Resources (Assets) Worksheet
- CMS Guide to LIS Consumer Mailings
- What will plans be like in 2027
(Source: Social Security Administration: Understanding The Extra Help With Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan publication 10508, SSA Publication No. 05-10115, January 2011. Additional examples and links from this site)