Pell Grant Application- What information to include?

Do you put down social security benefits on application or is it optional?

ANSWER:

The Pell grant application (or FAFSA) form lists benefits that should not be included in the "untaxed income" section. This includes untaxed Social Security benefits.

This is not "optional". The instructions specifically say that if you are receiving benefits from Social Security that are not taxable income, then you do not include them on the form.

If some of these benefits are taxable, then you must report that portion in the "taxable income" section. You should have received a Form SSA-1099 which tells you your total benefits from Social Security for the year. If your only income was from Social Security benefits, then these are probably not taxable and shouldn't be included.

You can get a quick estimate of how much of your benefits may be taxable, by adding half of your total benefits from Social Security to any other income for the year. If the total is more than these amounts:

• $32,000 for married, filing jointly


• $25,000 for single, head of household


• $0 for married filing separately

then some of your benefits are probably taxable.

(You should check with the IRS for an accurate, assessment of your individual tax situation. I am not a qualified tax expert.)