I understand. But a 401k isn't considered income for the purposes of this calculation. You aren't using your 401k to pay for your monthly expenses. OTOH, you may be using your HSA money for monthly medical bills. . .
I meant off the books income. Perfectly utilizable for living expenses, but no taxes paid means doesn't reduce program eligibility or get a 40% haircut.
I'm not condoning such a notion in the slightest. I just don't think any anonymous full economic portrait can be complete without such an option.