Income on the Means Test Part 2

I previously discussed how, as a Chester County bankruptcy lawyer, I must include normal income in a means test on a bankruptcy.  Pension and retirement income must also be included.  This includes IRA and 401(k) withdrawals.  It does not, however, include Social Security benefits.  This is important and I will repeat it -- Social Security benefits are not included in calculating income on the means test.  But, if someone else in the household is receiving Social Security (and is a non-filer), you must include it on Line 7.  You must provide these statements to the trustee to validate the pension and retirement income.  This income is included on Line 6 of the means test.  

On Line 7, you have "amounts paid on a regular basis for household expenses".  This includes contributions from all household members and non-household members (i.e. your adult daughter helps you with your bills).  You also have to include child support on this line but it later gets subtracted (dumb, right?).  

Unemployment compensation is also included in the form.  It is put on Line 8.  Again, this is calculated over the last 6 months.