Utilize the Best
Estimate of Income Form (DFS 107), optional for allprograms, to determine eligibility prospectively for all benefit months using the best estimate of income
anticipated to be received during the benefit month.
A."Best
Estimate" of Prospective Gross Countable Income
1.Calculate income in the month of
application as follows when the income
is discontinued:
a.Use the “actual” income received, do not average the total or convert the income;
and/or
Example:An individual’s regularly scheduled pay
dates are on a weekly basis.The
individual receives a final pay check on the 1st pay date of the
month in the gross amount of $700.00.The “actual” amount of income for the month is $700.00.
b.Use
the best estimate of any income due the applicant when the “actual” amount is unknown; and
c.Use
a combination of a. and b. when both occur; and
d.Recalculate
the second benefit month, using zero income, when the income ceases in the month
of application and no other income is
anticipated.
2.Calculate income in themonth of application
as follows when a pay check is not
received by an individual for each regularly scheduled pay date in the month:
a.Use the
“actual” income received, do not
average the total or convert the income; and/or
Example:An
individual’s regularly scheduled pay dates are on a weekly basis.The individual receives a check on the 1st
and 4th pay dates of the month in the gross amount of $300.00
each.The individual does not
receive a check on the 2nd and 3rd pay dates of the
month.The “actual” amount of income for
the month is $600.00.
b.Use the best
estimate of any income due the applicant when the “actual” amount is
unknown; and
c.Use
a combination of a. and b. when both occur; and
d.Re-calculate
non-reflective income for the second benefit month using a new best estimate,
average the income and convert, if appropriate.
3.Calculate income in the month of application
as follows when a pay check is received
by an individual for each regularly scheduled pay date in the month, but a pay
check contains partial income and/or non-reflective income and/or a pay rate
increase:
a.Add
the gross income of all checks, average and convert the income; and
Example:An individual
works 40 hours per week and the regularly scheduled pay dates are on a weekly
basis.The individual receives pay on
the 1st and 2nd pay dates of the month earning $234.00 at
$5.85 per hour for each pay date.The
individual receives an hourly rate increase to $6.00 per hour and is reflected
on the 3rd and 4th pay checks:$6.00 x 40 = $240.00.
$234.00 +
$234.00 + $240.00 + $240.00 = $948.00 divided by 4 = $237.00 x 4.3 = $1019.10.
b.Re-calculate
the income for the remaining months of the certification period using income
that is best reflective of future circumstances, re-average and convert.
4.Anticipate income for the benefit month
in which it is available.
5.Use the income
of the minor parent and her/hischild(ren) but
DO NOT use the income of the minor’s parent(s) to determine Child Care
eligibility.
6Review the best estimate each time a change in circumstances is reported or
becomes known and at the time of a periodic
review/recertification.
7.Use the following as the basis for
estimating gross countable income for
the benefit month(s):
a.Verify previous income by pay stubs or an employer’s statement when there is a 30
day history, but do not exceed 60 days history, and DOCUMENT the case record indicating how the best estimate was calculated when a change
in circumstances is not expected.(Both
earned and unearned income must be
included in the estimate.)
b.An employer’s statement or other
verification should be used as the basis for the best estimate when an applicant
or recipient does not have a 30
day history or the history is not reflective of the future. (Both earned and
unearned income must be included in
the estimate.)
c.Estimate tips, commissions, overtime,
differential pay, etc., when the employment
is of such a nature one or more of these are likely.
d.Use the mid-point (i.e. 25 to 30 hours =
27.50 hours) when the hourly schedule is fluctuating unless the schedule is not
reflective of future circumstances.
e.Use
income and business expenses(see
Section 902) that fairly represent the prospective benefit month(s) for a self-employed applicant or recipient whose income is
irregular.
f.Prorate or average income from self-employment, employment
on a contractual basis or income
received intermittently over the period covered by the income (quarterly,
semi-annual or yearly basis) unless the income
is not indicative of future months.
g.Allow Food Stamp assistance units to elect, in writing, to have the income averaged over the certification
period.
h.Count monthly or semimonthly income as
follows when a problem with the payroll (i.e., mail or computer problems)
causes additional checks in one month:
(1)If payment is regularly received semimonthly but a
problem causes three checks to be received in one month, count only two;
(2)If payment is
regularly received monthly but a problem causes two checks to be received in
one month, count only one.
i.Recognize the method(s) used to anticipate
gross countable income during the
benefit month will vary according to
the circumstances in each case.
(1)Come to an agreement with the client when
deciding the best approach to determine the best estimate.
(2)DOCUMENT clearly and thoroughly in the case record the method used and the
rationale for the best estimate.
B.Best
Estimate For Cases With An Income History
1.Review the income documents and information obtained during
the interview to determine what income is best reflective of future
circumstances.
2.Base the best estimate upon the verified
income history of 30 days and not to exceed 60 days when it is
representative, and no changes are expected, to anticipate income for the
benefit month(s).
a.Add verified gross income from each pay period; and
b.Divide the total by the number of pay
periods considered; and
c.Multiply gross income by 4.3 for weekly amounts, by 2.15 for bi-weekly amounts,
by 2 for semi-monthly amounts and by one for monthly amounts.
3.DOCUMENT
in the case record the type of
verification and the rationale actually used in the determination of the best estimate.
C.Best
Estimate For Cases Anticipating a Change(s) or With No
Income History
1.An employer's statement when the income history is not representative of
current or future benefit months or
is not available, beginning a new
job, increase/decrease in hours worked or rate of pay, etc.;
2.Use the client's and your own reasonable
expectations of future circumstances to arrive at a best estimate;
a.Multiply gross income by 4.3 for weekly amounts, by 2.15 for bi-weekly amounts,
by 2 for semi-monthly amounts and by one for monthly amounts; and
b.Add the anticipated monthly gross income from all sources.
3.DOCUMENT
the type of verification and the computation of the amount of anticipated income in the case record.
D.Use the
Best Estimate of Income form (DFS 107), optional for all programs, to document
the calculation and methodology used to determine the best estimate of earned
and/or unearned income.
Utilize the Best
Estimate of Income Form (DFS 107), optional for all programs, to determine eligibility prospectively for all benefit months using the best estimate of income
anticipated to be received during the benefit month. 
A. "Best
Estimate" of Prospective Gross Countable Income
1. Calculate income in the month of
application as follows when the income
is discontinued:
