Absent evidence to the contrary, we assume that the following types of resources are nonliquid:

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  household goods and personal effects;

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  automobiles, trucks, tractors and other vehicles;

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  machinery and livestock;

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  buildings, land and other real property rights; and

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  noncash business property.

1. a. 

   If there is no apparent evidence to the contrary of the assumptions in 1. above, we do not seek out any evidence to the contrary. There is no need to document a lack of evidence to the contrary.

2. b. 

   In very rare situations an individual may volunteer firm evidence that one of the above types of resources is liquid (i.e., its sale has been accomplished or arranged within 20 workdays). Document the file and proceed accordingly only if the distinction is material on a prospective basis.

When there is evidence to the contrary of the assumptions in 1. above, do not reopen a prior determination of non- liquidity retroactively. Consider the prior determination correct when made since there was no evidence to the contrary at that time.

On October 10, 1989, a widowed applicant filed for SSI benefits. The applicant alleged owning countable liquid resources totaling $900 plus a second automobile worth $2,000. (The only other resource, another automobile, was excluded totally as necessary for transportation because of distance.) The interviewer was about to suggest a conditional benefits agreement when the applicant volunteered the information that they only expected to have the second car for about 2 more weeks since their neighbor had agreed to buy it and the applicant was confident that the transaction would be completed by November 1.

Based on the applicant's statements, the interviewer categorized the second vehicle as a “liquid” resource and documented the file accordingly. This established why neither conditional benefits (SI 01150.200 B.1.a.) nor the liquid resource verification tolerance (SI 01140.010 B.2.) could apply.