Question: It is my understanding that a veteran’s disability benefit is not considered regular income because it is nontaxable. I wanted to rent a low-income apartment unit. With only my pension and Social Security income, I am within the allowable income for one person. The property management says that my veteran disability benefit must be included as income, which puts me in a higher income bracket, disqualifying me for approval. Should the veteran’s disability benefit be included as part of my regular income?
Answer: Yes, unless you received it as a lump sum after a deferral, according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations.
A monthly veteran’s disability payment is not subject to U.S. or Hawaii income tax, but it does count as income to determine whether someone is eligible for government-subsidized housing and, if they are eligible, to decide what rent they should pay, according to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, which administers federal and state housing for low-income people.
Eligible residents of federally subsidized housing commonly pay 30 percent of their monthly income in rent, according to HUD.
You did not say which low-income housing program you had applied to, but most agencies, such as HPHA, follow HUD’s standards in defining annual income. Although the amount of allowable income varies by region (with the cost of housing), what’s counted as income does not.
The details are spelled out in federal regulations, specifically 24 CFR5.609, (808ne.ws/cfr5609), which states that annual income includes, but is not limited to, wages, salaries, overtime pay, commissions, tips and bonuses, net business income, interest, dividends, withdrawal of cash or assets from an investment, unemployment compensation, severance pay, certain welfare benefits and “the full amount of periodic amounts received from Social Security, annuities, insurance policies, retirement funds, pensions, disability or death benefits.”
A Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefit that was deferred and received as a lump sum doesn’t count as annual income, according to the regulation. However, you did not describe your benefit as a single payment, but as as ongoing one, along with your pension and Social Security, that adds to your overall income.
Q: Auwe to the person who defaced the Prince Kuhio statue in Waikiki. What a horrible thing to do! Will they be able to fix it?
A: Yes. A city spokesman said the bronze statue, which was sprayed with orange paint on Halloween night, was cleaned Thursday. The vandalism was caught on camera and widely shared on social media, with many in Hawaii expressing their disgust. The alleged vandal was caught in the act and immediately arrested, according to news reports. The statue, at Kuhio Beach Park on Kalakaua Avenue near Ohua Avenue, honors Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, the “citizen prince” who tried to strengthen the Hawaiian people after the monarchy was overthrown. Read more about him at dhhl.hawaii.gov/kuhio.
Mahalo
Many thanks to the refuse truck driver who went out of his way to help this senior citizen. Your thoughtfulness and patience was much appreciated. May you be blessed with good fortune. — Kailua senior
Mahalo
In Monday’s Kokua Line there was a note thanking me, by name, for picking up a couple’s breakfast tab. That shocked me because I intended to be anonymous and didn’t think even their server knew my name. Their kind words and gratitude really touched me. To Wanda and Mike, I say, ‘A‘ole pilikia, a malama no (you’re welcome/no trouble, and take care). — Steve
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
