Income Best Estimate guide

Revised Date: 
July 25, 2014
Obtain proof of income (e.g., pay stub, employer statement, tax return) from the individual to answer the following:
Rate of pay:
  • Does the individual receive a salary or an hourly wage?
    • If hourly, what is the hourly wage and how many hours does the individual work each pay period?
  • Is the individual paid by the piece?
    • If paid for piecework, how much is the individual paid for each piece and how many pieces do they normally complete each pay period?
  • Does the individual receive tips or commissions?
Pay dates:
  • What are the individual's pay periods?
  • What are the individual's pay dates?
  • Is the individual paid on the same day each week?
  • Is the individual paid on specific days of each month?
Past income:
  • If unable to anticipate expected hours or pay rate, look at past income:
    • Do the last 3 months represent what the individual should get?
    • Do the last 30 days represent what the individual should get?
  • Should special circumstances be considered when looking at past income?
    • If the individual has a new job, is there a partial first check?
    • Does one of the pay periods include a time the individual had leave without pay due to illness or other reasons?
    • Did one pay period include overtime because the individual worked extra hours for a sick coworker?
    • Is the income higher or lower than normal due to seasonal fluctuations?
Recent changes:
  • Has the individual recently lost their job?
    • When will the individual get their last check?
    • Will the individual get any money from "cashing out" vacation, sick pay, or retirement benefits?
    • Will the individual get any severance pay, unemployment compensation, or retirement benefits?
  • Has there been a recent employment change:
    • From full-time to part-time?
    • In the number of hours worked?
    • In the individual's wage or salary?
    • From one job to another?
  • Has the individual received overtime pay or bonuses?
  • Have there been other changes that would impact eligibility or benefit level?
Changes expected during the certification period:
  • Are the hours going to go up or down?
  • Is the income ending?
  • Has the individual’s job just started?
  • Will they receive more paychecks next month than they did this month?

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