M21-1, Part V, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section C – Income Development

In This Section

Introduction

• general information on developing for recurring monthly income, and
• information about
  • Railroad Retirement benefits
  • income tax returns
  • Social Security benefits
  • retirement or annuity income
  • severance pay, accrued wages, or vacation pay
  • farm income, and
  • business or rental income.

Change Date

V.i.3.C.1.a.  General Information on Developing for Recurring Income

• gross amount of the recurring income
• date the first check was received
• date and amount of any retroactive payment received, and
• dates of any changes in the monthly rate of income.

V.i.3.C.1.b.  Information About Railroad Retirement Benefits

V.i.3.C.1.c.  Information About Income Tax Returns

V.i.3.C.1.d.  Information About Social Security Benefits

• the computer match with SSA, see M21-1, Part X, 2, and
• Share, see the Share User’s Guide.

V.i.3.C.1.e.  Information About Retirement or Annuity Income

V.i.3.C.1.f.  Information About Severance Pay, Accrued Wages, or Vacation Pay

• severance pay
• accrued wages, or
• vacation pay.

V.i.3.C.1.g.  Information About Farm Income

V.i.3.C.1.h.  Information About Business or Rental Income

Introduction

• when to develop for severance or accumulated leave pay, and
• using VA Form 21-4192 to obtain information.

Change Date

V.i.3.C.2.a.  When to Develop for Severance or Accumulated Leave Pay

• a Veterans Pension claim is filed within 90 days of the date a Veteran’s employment terminated, and
• evidence of record indicates that the Veteran may have been entitled to severance pay or accumulated leave pay.

V.i.3.C.2.b.  Using VA Form 21-4192 to Obtain Information

• send VA Form 21-4192 to the Veteran, and
• ask that the Veteran have the employer complete the form.

Introduction

• definition of hardship
• applicability of the child hardship exclusion, and
• developing for the child hardship exclusion.

Change Date

V.i.3.C.3.a.  Definition:  Hardship

V.i.3.C.3.b.  Applicability of the Child Hardship Exclusion

V.i.3.C.3.c.  Developing for the Child Hardship Exclusion

• not available to the Veteran or surviving spouse, or
• otherwise excludable under 38 CFR 3.272(j).

Change Date

V.i.3.c.4.a.  Developing for Interest Income From Net Worth

• assets which may be earning interest, but it is not clear whether or not they are,
• when FTI is not available and interest bearing net worth is $5,000 or more with no interest income reported
• interest or dividend income of over $20, but does not report the source of the dividends or interest as net worth, or
• the same amount of interest and net worth, as the claimant most likely confused the two fields.