The value of a gift card or gift certificate is not income in the month it is received
if the gift card or gift certificate:
-
•
Cannot be used to purchase food or shelter; and
-
In addition, if the individual does not have the right, authority, or power to convert
or sell the gift card or gift certificate for cash, and it cannot be used to purchase
food or shelter, then the gift card or gift certificate would not meet the definition
of a resource in SI 01110.100.
NOTE: A gift card or gift certificate that is restricted on its use, and is legally prohibited from resale, must be evaluated (case by case) based on the
restrictions and prohibitions for determining income for SSI purposes.
The restriction on use of a gift card or gift certificate can be legal, (imposed by
the card issuer), or practical, (the store where the card must be redeemed does not
sell food or shelter items).