2609. What are resources?

Resources are cash or other assets that an individual owns and could convert to cash to be used for his or her support and maintenance.

For purposes of determining eligibility for extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs, the following are countable resources:

Liquid Resources

We count liquid resources. Liquid resources are cash or other property, which can be converted to cash within 20 workdays. Examples of resources that are ordinarily liquid are stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, promissory notes, mortgages, life insurance policies, financial institution accounts (including savings, checking, and time deposits, also known as certificates of deposit), retirement accounts such as individual retirement accounts (IRA), 401(k) accounts, trusts if they are revocable or the trust beneficiary can direct the use of the funds, and similar items.

Non-Home Real Property

The equity value of non-home real property is counted as a resource.

Note: The home that serves as the individual's principal place of residence is excluded from resource counting.

Last Revised: Apr. 18, 2006