What Does Social Security Consider an “Educational Expense” and “Impairment Related Expenses”?

Educational Expenses

If you are in school, a LOT of different things can count as educational expenses. For example:

  • Laboratory fees
  • Student activity fees
  • Transportation to school
  • Stationery supplies
  • Books
  • Technology fees

Impairment-Related Expenses

If you are in school, or working, many different things can count as “Impairment related expenses.” These include any expense you have that is related to your disability and that helps you stay in work or school.

  • Special transportation
  • Hiring an aide
  • Medical equipment you need to be in school or to keep your job
  • Special computer equipment
  • Medicine or supplements you need to be well enough to continue in school or work
  • Anything else your doctor agrees is needed for you to stay in school or work

If you have an expense, you can ask your doctor if she agrees that this is an expense you need in order to keep in school or keep your job. If she says, yes, you can ask her to write this down for you, or note it in your records, and then you can request and keep a copy of the record to show to SSI.

If you have a service animal or an emotional support animal that helps you manage your symptoms so you are better able to work, then expenses related to the animal may be considered an impairment-related expense. For example: dog food, cat litter, vet bills. You will need a doctors letter about the animal.

Keep Receipts

Make sure to keep all your receipts and at your next SSI review, you can show which funds were used for educational expenses.

Special Loophole

If your financial aid money or work income is placed in a PASS plan, it will not affect your SSI, even if it is used for expenses that are not “educational expenses” or “impairment related expenses”