What is the maximum amount a person can make in order to qualify for total dependency?

• A. $20,000 or less
• B. $30,000 or less
• C. less than $30,000
• D. Extent of dependency is subject to proof

Answer: (B)

Total dependency is determined by a fixed income test: the dependent’s annual earnings must not exceed a set limit to be considered totally dependent. The standard limit is thirty thousand dollars or less. This creates an objective rule so that anyone earning up to and including thirty thousand qualifies as totally dependent, while earnings above that disqualify them from total dependency.

Choosing a limit of twenty thousand or less would understate the qualifying threshold. Saying earnings must be less than thirty thousand would exclude exactly thirty thousand, which should still qualify. Claiming that the extent of dependency is subject to proof suggests a subjective assessment rather than a clear numeric cutoff. Therefore, the correct understanding is that thirty thousand dollars or less qualifies for total dependency.