It depends. For the year you are filing, earned income includes all income from employment, but only if it is includable in gross income. Examples of earned income are: wages; salaries; tips; and other taxable employee compensation. Earned income also includes net earnings from self-employment.
If you received the money for something else then it is not considered earned income.
Please update here if you have more questions, include exactly what the money was received for.
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