What income is counted?

Earned and unearned income is counted unless it is specifically excluded.

Earned income

Countable earned income includes wages, tips, salary and earnings from self-employment. 106 C.M.R. § 704.210(A). Subtract business expenses from self-employment income. There are special rules for business expense deductions if you get income from rent. 106 C.M.R. § 704.210(E).

Unearned income

Countable unearned income includes social security (but not SSI), unemployment compensation, veterans’ and other pension benefits, paid family or medical leave, and income from trusts. 106 C.M.R. § 704.210(B); DTA Online Guide (Processing Cases with Paid Family Medical Leave).