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For self-employed persons choosing the 50% of gross income method, use gross business receipts that accurately indicate anticipated gross income. This means taking into account seasonal work or the fact that new businesses might not show any income. You may need to use a timeframe other than 30 days of business records to determine countable income.

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Use income already received in the application month through the date of approval as an indicator of the income that will be available during the 6-month period. When the date of application and the date of the interview are different, document in MAXIS case notes what income was used.

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Use only anticipated income both the county agency and the client are reasonably certain will be received during the certification period. You may need to use a timeframe other than 30 days to determine countable income. Document this information in MAXIS case notes.

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When the unit is unsure of the amount of income or when it will be received, count only that portion of the income that can be anticipated with reasonable certainty.

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If a client gives a reason that the amount an employer says it will pay is inaccurate, contact the employer for confirmation. See 0010.03 (Verification - Cooperation and Consent), 0010.15 (Verification - Inconsistent Information). If you cannot reconcile the employer’s and the client's claims, budget the amount the client expects to get (which might be $0). Document your action in CASE/PERSON NOTEs in MAXIS.

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Do not use past income as an indicator of income that will be available during the 6-month period if the unit cannot anticipate this income continuing in the future. Document in MAXIS case notes why past income was not used for the 6-month period.

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Convert regular recurring income received less often than monthly into a monthly amount.

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When income fluctuates to the extent that the 30 days income prior to the application month is NOT an accurate indication of anticipated income, use a reasonable period of time and income. Document in MAXIS case note the period of time and income used for the 6-month period.

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When the client anticipates receiving future income from a source not received in the 30 days prior to the application, Combined Six-Month Report, or recertification, use an amount both the client and the county agency are reasonably certain will be received.

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When recalculating a new 6-month report period, take into account income received in the last 30 days. Use any anticipated income the unit and county agency are reasonably certain will be received during the next 6-month period. If the unit reports no change in income on the Combined Six Month Review (DHS-5576) (PDF), continue to budget the same income for the next 6 months.

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If wages are held by the employer at the request of the client, count this income in the month the wages would have been received by the client.

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Anticipate GA, and MSA grants for the period of time the agency is reasonably certain these grants will be received during the certification period.

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Do not increase the unit’s SNAP benefits IF a participant unit or unit member is disqualified from GA for not cooperating with tort liability requirements. Compute benefits using the cash grant the unit would have received had the disqualification not occurred.

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For units with seasonal income, it may be appropriate to use the most recent past season’s income to determine the amount of income that will be received during the 6-month budget period. Consider any anticipated income fluctuations and new circumstances.

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Budget COLA increases in federal benefits prospectively.

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Budget recurring medical expenses prospectively. See 0018.12 (Medical Deductions).

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Count only cash assistance and other income both the county agency and the unit are reasonably certain the unit will receive during the certification period.

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Always budget cash assistance grants for the current month prospectively, even when you budget other income and expenses retrospectively. See 0017.15.06 (Assistance Payments Income).

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If a client gives a reason that the amount an employer says it will pay is inaccurate, contact the employer for confirmation. See 0010.03 (Verification - Cooperation and Consent), 0010.15 (Verification - Inconsistent Information). If you cannot reconcile the employer’s and the client's claims, budget the amount the client expects to get (which might be $0). Document your action in CASE/PERSON NOTEs in MAXIS.