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Chapter: 2400 Budgeting Income Program: MSSI, SFP 41 4. If income is received semimonthly, add two pay periods and divide by two to get the semimonthly average. 5. If income is received monthly, use the most recent month if representative.

The result of the above is called the averaged amount. With the exception of monthly amounts, the averaged amount described above must be converted to a monthly amount.

Note: When an individual has just begun or terminated a job in the current month, a full month's income is not budgeted but only that amount received in the month or anticipated to be received. 2440.0510 How to Count Income for Eligibility (MSSI, SFP) This policy is to be used to calculate the gross monthly income amount to be used in eligibility budgets for all SSI-Related Medicaid Programs at the time of application or eligibility review. This policy is not to be used for determining patient responsibility, except for determining income of the community spouse. For policy on how to count the individual's income for patient responsibility, see passage 2440.0512.

Both unearned and earned income are treated the same for the SSI-Related Medicaid Programs. All income must be converted into a monthly amount for budget purposes.

For applications, budget actual income for months available instead of computing an average. If you are prorating income, begin prorating in the month it is received in a month for which benefits are requested. For example, if an individual is requesting benefits beginning in July, and receives an annual payment every October, no income from the October payment would be counted in the budget until October. Then, schedule a partial for September to start counting the prorated income effective October.

The method used to determine a monthly amount depends on how often the income is received and the specific program.

Follow these steps to determine how to count income for eligibility:

Note: Refer to Chapter 2600 for allowable income disregards and deductions.

Step 1: Determine how often the income/payments are received.

If monthly or more often than monthly (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly), go on to Step 2.

If less often than monthly (quarterly, annually, etc.), go to Step 4.

Step 2: Determine if the income/payment fluctuates (i.e., does it vary?)

If the amount does vary, go on to Step 3 to determine an average amount.

If the amount does not vary, use the actual amount and skip to Step 4.

Step 3: For amounts that vary and are received monthly or more often than monthly (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly), compute average amount as follows:

1. Add the gross income amounts for the most recent consecutive four weeks to get a total. (If this period is not available or is not representative of anticipated income, you may use more or less than four weeks.) 2. If income is received weekly, add four pay periods and divide by four to get the weekly average. 3. If income is received biweekly, add two pay periods and divide by two to get the biweekly average.