MaxGhenis · Nov 9, 2026 · Nov 9, 2026 · Nov 9, 2026 · Nov 9, 2026 · Nov 9, 2026
diff --git a/changelog.d/state-benefit-railroad.fixed.md b/changelog.d/state-benefit-railroad.fixed.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Count Railroad Retirement Act benefits as income in the state and county benefit programs whose rules name them, count pensions, retirement benefits or federal benefits, or count all income they do not exclude.
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/ala/general_assistance/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/ala/general_assistance/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     - self_employment_income
     - sstb_self_employment_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - veterans_benefits
 

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/la/dwp/ez_save/income_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/la/dwp/ez_save/income_sources.yaml
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ values:
     - child_support_received
     - alimony_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi
     - tanf
     - snap

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/la/general_relief/income_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/la/general_relief/income_sources.yaml
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ values:
     - sstb_self_employment_income
     - ssi
     - social_security
+    # GR policy 44-101 deducts "all net income to the General Relief (GR)
+    # household" from the grant, and its current income takes in "the cash
+    # (including loans), food, housing, and other items that are received by
+    # and available to the GR household", so railroad benefits count.
+    - railroad_benefits
     - tanf
 metadata:
   unit: list
@@ -20,3 +25,5 @@ metadata:
   reference:
     - title: ABP 392 General Relief Information Sheet Form rev 07-2021
       href: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Oc7UuRFxJj-eDwTeox92PtmRVGnG9RjW/view?usp=sharing 
+    - title: DPSS ePolicy, General Relief 44-101, Income
+      href: https://my.dpss.lacounty.gov/public/en/home/epolicy/program/gr/income/income.html
diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/oc/general_relief/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/oc/general_relief/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     - interest_income
     - dividend_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - ca_state_disability_insurance
     - veterans_benefits

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/riv/cap/liheap/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/riv/cap/liheap/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ values:
     - pension_income
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi 
     - ca_tanf
     - ca_state_supplement

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/riv/cap/share/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/riv/cap/share/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ values:
     - pension_income
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi 
     - ca_tanf
 

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/smc/general_assistance/income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/local/ca/smc/general_assistance/income/sources.yaml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ values:
     - disability_benefits
     - ca_state_disability_insurance
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - veterans_benefits
     - pension_income
     - retirement_distributions

diff --git a/...engine_us/parameters/gov/states/ak/dpa/ccap/income/countable_income/unearned_sources.yaml b/...engine_us/parameters/gov/states/ak/dpa/ccap/income/countable_income/unearned_sources.yaml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ values:
     - child_support_received
     - alimony_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - veterans_benefits

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/al/dhr/ccsp/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/al/dhr/ccsp/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     - self_employment_income
     - farm_operations_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - pension_income
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - workers_compensation

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ar/ade/oec/sra/income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ar/ade/oec/sra/income/sources.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ values:
     - employment_income
     - self_employment_income
     - social_security_retirement
+    - railroad_benefits
     - social_security_disability
     - social_security_survivors
     - ssi

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ca/cdss/child_care/income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ca/cdss/child_care/income/sources.yaml
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ values:
     - ca_state_disability_insurance
     # Social Security (excluding SSI)
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     # Support payments
     - child_support_received
     - alimony_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ca/cdss/tanf/cash/income/sources/other_unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ca/cdss/tanf/cash/income/sources/other_unearned.yaml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ metadata:
 values:
   2017-12-20:
     - social_security_retirement
+    - railroad_benefits
     - social_security_survivors
     - social_security_dependents
     - interest_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ca/cpuc/income_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ca/cpuc/income_sources.yaml
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ values:
   - wic
   # Social Security
   - social_security
+  - railroad_benefits
   # Pensions
   - pension_income
   - retirement_distributions
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ values:
   - wic
   # Social Security
   - social_security
+  - railroad_benefits
   # Pensions
   - pension_income
   - retirement_distributions

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/co/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/co/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ values:
     - farm_operations_income
     # Unearned income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - pension_income
     - retirement_distributions
     - military_retirement_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/co/cdhs/tanf/income/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/co/cdhs/tanf/income/unearned.yaml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ values:
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - gi_cash_assistance
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - workers_compensation
     - disability_benefits
     # general_assistance is exempt under 9 CCR 2503-6, Section 3.605.4(A)(7)

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ct/oec/c4k/income/unearned_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ct/oec/c4k/income/unearned_sources.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ description: Connecticut counts these unearned income sources as countable incom
 values:
   2020-01-01:
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - pension_income
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - workers_compensation

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/dc/dhs/ccsp/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/dc/dhs/ccsp/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ values:
     - interest_income 
     - rental_income
     - pension_income
+    # Manual 2.5.2 counts railroad retirement. 2.5.3 exempts permanent disability
+    # payments, but railroad_benefits doesn't separate disability annuities, so
+    # the whole amount counts.
+    - railroad_benefits
     - veterans_benefits
     - military_retirement_income
     - alimony_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/dc/dhs/tanf/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/dc/dhs/tanf/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ values:
     # D.C. Code 4-205.05(4) counts District and federal public assistance payments
     - general_assistance
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
 
 metadata:
   unit: list

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/de/dss/poc/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/de/dss/poc/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     - self_employment_income
     - sstb_self_employment_income
     - social_security_retirement
+    - railroad_benefits
     - social_security_disability
     - social_security_survivors
     - ssi

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/fl/doe/sr/income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/fl/doe/sr/income/sources.yaml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ values:
     - farm_income
     - tip_income
     - social_security_retirement
+    - railroad_benefits
     - social_security_disability
     - social_security_survivors
     - ssi

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ga/decal/caps/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ga/decal/caps/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@ values:
     - dividend_income
     - pension_income
     - social_security_retirement
+    # Section 8.4.1 counts retirement and pension income. Section 8.4.2 excludes
+    # only disability and survivors benefits from the Social Security
+    # Administration, and the Railroad Retirement Board pays these benefits.
+    - railroad_benefits
     - military_basic_pay
     # The following are counted per CAPS Policy Manual §8.4 but have
     # no matching variables:

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/hi/bessd/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/hi/bessd/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ values:
     - social_security_retirement
     - social_security_disability
     - social_security_survivors
+    # HAR 17-798.3-10(b)(2)(A) counts railroad retirement insurance checks
+    # from the U.S. government, prior to deductions for medical insurance.
+    - railroad_benefits
     # Recurring SSI is countable; HAR 17-798.2-11(5)(B) excludes only
     # retroactive lump-sum SSI, not recurring monthly SSI payments.
     - ssi
@@ -32,7 +35,6 @@ values:
     - hi_ccap_tanf_income
     # The following are counted per HAR 17-798.2-10(b) but have no
     # matching PolicyEngine variables:
-    # - railroad retirement (item (2)(A); captured via social_security_*)
     # - temporary disability insurance (item (4)(B))
     # - income from estates or trust funds (item (15))
     # - royalties (item (17))

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/id/dhw/iccp/income/unearned_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/id/dhw/iccp/income/unearned_sources.yaml
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ values:
   2022-03-17:
     # social_security already includes retirement, disability, survivors, and dependents components.
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi
     - pension_income
     - military_retirement_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/dhs/aabd/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/dhs/aabd/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ values:
   2021-01-01:
     #- pension_income # exempt
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi
     - disability_benefits
     #- veterans_benefits # exempt

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/dhs/tanf/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/dhs/tanf/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@ description: Illinois counts these income sources as unearned income under the T
 values:
   1997-07-01:
     - social_security
+    # 89 Ill. Adm. Code 112.100 counts unearned income the section doesn't exempt.
+    # 112.110(aa) disregards Railroad Retirement disability payments up to the SSI
+    # payment level, as it does Social Security disability. The model doesn't apply
+    # that disregard to either, and railroad_benefits doesn't separate disability
+    # annuities, so the whole amount counts.
+    - railroad_benefits
     - disability_benefits
     - workers_compensation
     - total_unemployment_compensation

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/hfs/hbwd/eligibility/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/hfs/hbwd/eligibility/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ description: Illinois counts these income sources as unearned income under the H
 values:
   2022-04-01:
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - disability_benefits
     - workers_compensation
     - total_unemployment_compensation

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/isbe/income/countable_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/il/isbe/income/countable_sources.yaml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ values:
     - pension_income
     - retirement_distributions
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi
     - veterans_benefits
     - disability_benefits

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ks/dcf/ccap/income/countable_income/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ks/dcf/ccap/income/countable_income/unearned.yaml
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ values:
   2021-07-01:
     # Unearned income (KEESM 6200): benefits, pensions, settlements.
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - workers_compensation
     - pension_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ks/dcf/liheap/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ks/dcf/liheap/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     - strike_benefits
     # SSA benefits are counted gross, including the Medicare deduction.
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - ssi
     # Military retirement income (retiree pay plus Survivor Benefit Plan
     # annuities) is a separate input from the pension inputs that

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ky/dcbs/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ky/dcbs/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     - self_employment_income
     - farm_operations_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - workers_compensation
     - pension_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/la/ldoe/ccap/income/unearned_sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/la/ldoe/ccap/income/unearned_sources.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ values:
     - ssi
     - veterans_benefits
     - pension_income
+    # LAC 28:CLXV.509.A.3.b counts recurring "retirement benefits" (iv) and
+    # "disability benefits" (v), which railroad retirement annuities are.
+    - railroad_benefits
     - disability_benefits
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - workers_compensation
@@ -18,6 +21,9 @@ values:
     - ssi
     - veterans_benefits
     - pension_income
+    # LAC 28:CLXV.509.A.3.b counts recurring "retirement benefits" (iv) and
+    # "disability benefits" (v), which railroad retirement annuities are.
+    - railroad_benefits
     - disability_benefits
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - workers_compensation

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ma/dta/tcap/gross_income/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/ma/dta/tcap/gross_income/unearned.yaml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ values:
     - dividend_income
     - interest_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - veterans_benefits
     - pension_income

diff --git a/...engine_us/parameters/gov/states/ma/eec/ccfa/income/countable_income/sources/unearned.yaml b/...engine_us/parameters/gov/states/ma/eec/ccfa/income/countable_income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ values:
     - interest_income
     - rental_income
     - pension_income
+    - railroad_benefits
     - veterans_benefits
     - military_retirement_income
     - alimony_income
@@ -19,12 +20,18 @@ values:
   # (all types), SSI, child support, and veterans disability benefits, and
   # the countable list becomes exclusive; interest income is not on it.
   # CCFA mapping assumption: veterans_benefits contains disability payments.
+  # railroad_benefits counts as "Retirement income": the Railroad Retirement
+  # Board pays it under the Railroad Retirement Act, and the exclusion of
+  # "Social Security Income" names Social Security benefits. The input doesn't
+  # separate railroad disability and survivor annuities, which the list may
+  # not reach, so the model counts every railroad payment.
   2023-10-01:
     - farm_rent_income
     - estate_income
     - dividend_income
     - rental_income
     - pension_income
+    - railroad_benefits
     - military_retirement_income
     - alimony_income
     - total_unemployment_compensation
@@ -35,6 +42,7 @@ values:
     - dividend_income
     - rental_income
     - pension_income
+    - railroad_benefits
     - military_retirement_income
     - alimony_income
     - total_unemployment_compensation

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/md/msde/ccs/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/md/msde/ccs/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     # Note: self_employment_income is handled separately in the formula
     # with a 30% deduction per COMAR 13A.14.06.03F(8)(a)(i)
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - pension_income
     - interest_income
     - dividend_income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/me/dhhs/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/me/dhhs/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ values:
     - rental_income
     # Unearned income (Rule §2.C.4)
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     - pension_income
     - retirement_distributions
     - disability_benefits

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/me/dhhs/tanf/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/me/dhhs/tanf/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ values:
     - total_unemployment_compensation
     - gi_cash_assistance
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     # Chapter III, Section B(2)(d) excludes General Assistance, so
     # general_assistance is not counted
 

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mi/mdhhs/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mi/mdhhs/ccap/income/countable_income/sources.yaml
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ values:
     - self_employment_income
     - sstb_self_employment_income
     - social_security
+    - railroad_benefits
     # SSI (public assistance) is not counted: State Plan FFY 2025-2027 §2.2.4.c
     # leaves "public assistance" unchecked. SSI recipients are income-waived
     # anyway (see mi_ccap_income_waived), so this never affects the income test.

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mn/dcyf/ccap/income/countable_income/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mn/dcyf/ccap/income/countable_income/unearned.yaml
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ values:
     - dividend_income
     - interest_income
     - pension_income
+    # 256P.06, subd. 3(2)(ix) counts retirement benefits. Item (xvi), which the
+    # model applies to Social Security through rsdi_sources, doesn't name them.
+    # railroad_benefits doesn't separate disability annuities, so the whole
+    # amount counts.
+    - railroad_benefits
     - veterans_benefits
     # Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan annuities count as
     # retirement benefits under 256P.06, subd. 3(2)(ix), which has no income

diff --git a/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mn/dcyf/mfip/income/sources/unearned.yaml b/policyengine_us/parameters/gov/states/mn/dcyf/mfip/income/sources/unearned.yaml
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ values:
     - workers_compensation
     - gi_cash_assistance
     - social_security
+    # 256P.06, subd. 3(2)(ix) counts retirement benefits. railroad_benefits doesn't
+    # separate disability annuities, so the whole amount counts.
+    - railroad_benefits
     # MFIP counts GA, RCA and cash benefits already issued (0017.12.03).
     # Receipt-of-other-assistance rules in 0011.21 are separate eligibility
     # rules; this input represents cash received by an assistance-unit member.
Original file line number	Diff line number	Diff line change
		@@ -0,0 +1 @@
		Count Railroad Retirement Act benefits as income in the state and county benefit programs whose rules name them, count pensions, retirement benefits or federal benefits, or count all income they do not exclude.