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STANDARDS OF ASSISTANCE Regulations AID PAYMENTS 44-315 (Cont.)

44-315 AMOUNT OF AID (Continued)

44-315

(AR/CO) (a) Income Expected to If an AU/household's monthly income fluctuates

Fluctuate after Data or they expect the income received in the Data

Month

Month to change in the upcoming AR/CO Payment Period, the CWD must attempt to find out the amount of income the AU/household reasonably expects to receive, in order to determine what income, if any, can be reasonably anticipated and used in the next AR/CO Payment Period's benefit calculation. Only that portion of income that the AU/household reasonably anticipates it will receive can be used in the benefit calculation.

New income cannot be anticipated unless the AU/household is reasonably certain of the amount of income and the start date. If an AU/household reports that they expect their income to change or stop, but are uncertain of when or by how much, the CWD cannot reasonably anticipate this change. However, if the recipient states that the Data Month income is not typical, explains why, and lists an estimate of future income, barring any information to the contrary, the recipient’s estimate of future income should be used. Additionally, if the recipient states that their income fluctuates so much that they can’t anticipant any income, no income will be counted. If the CWD disagrees that the income is too unpredictable to anticipate, it must explore with the applicant or recipient what amount, if any, can be reasonably anticipated and document the basis for the amount used in the case narrative.

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(SAR) Example 1:

Recipient provides a SAR 7 with four check stubs for the Data Month of varying amounts ($50, $150, $75, and $500). There were five weeks in that month, and for one week, he reports no earnings at all. He works on call and has no idea when he will be called in. The worker reviews the case and confirms that the recipient had periods of no income in the past. The worker then carefully documents

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CALIFORNIA-DSS-MANUAL-EAS MANUAL LETTER NO. EAS-14-02 Effective 7/1/14

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