Noncountable Income

Certain income is considered noncountable and must be excluded when determining a household’s eligibility and benefit level. They are:

  • AmeriCorps and YouthBuild: Income received for participating in YouthBuild or AmeriCorps is considered an allowance for volunteering and is not countable.
  • Census Workers: Earnings of temporary decennial census work.
  • Cash Contribution: Money from a non-legally responsible person that is designated for a specific purpose is not countable. For example, a friend provides cash to be used for rent.

    • Note: If someone outside of the household is providing money for a specific expense, the amount they contribute toward the expense is not countable.

  • Combat Pay: Income received by a member of the Armed Forces deployed to an active combat zone. See Combat Pay.
  • Earnings of Children: The earned income of children under 18 who are enrolled in school at least half-time is non-countable. Once a child turns 18 or is in school less than half-time, whichever occurs first, the earned income will be countable. For example, a 17-year-old child who is employed, turns 18 in May and graduates in June, will have countable income as of May.
  • Educational Income: Financial assistance paid to a student as part of a financial aid package, grant, loan or scholarship for the purposes of obtaining a degree or certificate from an institution of higher education. This includes educational grants, fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and educational stipends awarded by a college, a nonprofit organization or private company.
  • Essential Employee Premium Pay Program Benefits: One-time, lump sum payment of $500 for individuals with low earned income.
  • Extended COVID-19 Funeral Assistance: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic through September 30, 2025.
  • Income of SSI recipients in the PASS Program: Funds approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to fulfill a Plan for Achieving Self-Support. In order to be excluded, verification of both the PASS agreement and PASS approval letter from SSA is required.
  • Infrequent/Irregular: Money received infrequently that does not exceed $30 per quarter. For example, a $25 a birthday gift is not countable.
  • In-kind income: Any gain or benefit not in the form of money and provided directly to the household. For example, a client’s neighbor provides produce from his garden.
  • Loans: Any amount of money that must be repaid is not countable as income. For example, a friend provides $500 as a loan and requests that the amount be repaid within a year.
  • Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Individuals Program Grants: A one-time $5,000 grant to artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners is non-countable income.
  • Nonrecurring Lump Sum Payments: Any lump sum of money received that is not expected to continue occurring is excluded income. For example, the amount of money received from an income tax return.

    • Note: A lump sum payment is a countable asset in the month received unless it is excluded in accordance with 106 CMR 363.140.

  • Payments to Certain Volunteers: Payments and reimbursements to volunteer foster grandparents, senior health aides, and those participating in VISTA, or a program established under the Domestic Service Act of 1973.
  • Reimbursements: Any amount of money reimbursed for past or future expenses, so long as it does not exceed the amount of the expense and is not for a normal living expense. For example, an employee receives a reimbursement for office supplies purchased for use by their employer. To be excluded, these payments must be provided specifically for an identified expense, other than normal living expenses, and used for the purpose intended.
  • Senior Citizens Tax Work Off Program: The Massachusetts Senior Citizens Tax Work Off Program allows seniors (60 years or older) to work for their local governments in exchange for a reduction in their property taxes. Many Massachusetts cities and towns offer a tax work-off program, but some do not. See Senior Citizens and Veterans Tax Work Off Income.
  • Senior Community Service Employment: Clients who earn income that is paid through SCSEP funding is not countable. These programs are operated by approved vendors through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. See Senior Community Service Employment for specified vendors.
  • Training Stipends: Training stipends include, but are not limited to, payments from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD)/Commonwealth Corporation’s Massachusetts Workforce Skills Fund stipend program, Department of Career Services (DCS), MassAbility, and non-profit organizations.
    • It is not always clear if someone is receiving a stipend or wages. If a client is participating in a training program and receiving payments, you must ask if those payments are a stipend or wages.
    • To verify payments are a stipend, clients must provide a letter from the training program they are attending confirming that the payment is a stipend. The letter must contain the following details:
      • Training session start and end date;
      • Stipend amount and frequency; and
      • Signature and contact information of program representative who completed the letter.

    • Important: If the client states that they are expected to start a new employment upon the completion of the training, you must remind them of their reporting requirements. Not all persons in training receive stipends. Some receive regular wages. Training stipends must not be confused with wages received for job training. For more information on how to create a VC-1 in BEACON for Training Stipends, please see Payments to Clients in E & T Services.

  • Universal Basic Income (UBI) Pilot Programs: UBI and GMI pilot program payments that are funded (fully or in-part) by a private or nonprofit organization are noncountable for SNAP (however, payments that are fully funded by a government source are countable). See Universal Basic Income / Guaranteed Minimum Income Pilot for more information.
  • Vendor Payments: Money paid by a person or organization outside the household directly to a vendor.  For example, housing subsidy payments made to landlords by housing authorities.
  • Veterans Tax Work Off Program: The Veterans Tax Work Off Program allows veterans of the US armed forces to work for their local governments in exchange for a reduction in their property taxes. Many Massachusetts cities and towns offer a tax work off program, but some do not. See Senior Citizen and Veteran Tax Work Off Income.
  • Work-Study: Undergraduate and graduate work-study income.

All income must be reported and entered in accordance with the client’s certification type. Clients must report all income and the Department will determine if the income is countable.

Last Update: January 26, 2026