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Chapter: 2400 Budgeting Income Program: RAP 48 2460.0000 Refugee Assistance Program Once the eligibility specialist has determined the individual's assets (Chapter 1600) and income (Chapter 1800) according to policy, various budgets and tests must be executed to determine or redetermine eligibility. To determine how to calculate benefits, Chapter 2600 must be used. 2460.0100 INCOME LIMITS (RAP) The income limits compared to the SFU’s countable income to determine eligibility for assistance vary by coverage group. Refer to Appendix A-5 and A-7 for the standard tables. 2460.0200 BUDGETING (RAP) Budgeting processes determine how benefits will be calculated, by program, for the month. Benefits for all programs are budgeted prospectively. Prospective budgeting is explained in passage 2460.0201. 2460.0201 Prospective Budgeting (RAP) Prospective budgeting is a method by which eligibility and benefit levels are based on the assistance group's composition and income circumstances as they exist in the month for which benefits are being calculated. This can be either a past, current or future month. When budgeting prospectively for a future month, the estimated anticipated income and circumstances may be based on what occurred in prior months if those months are considered representative of the assistance group's continued situation. Prospective budgeting may also be based on the amount the individual can anticipate to receive. When a budget is completed for a month that has already passed, the actual income and circumstances are used. A past month is defined as any month prior to the month of the interview. All assistance groups are subject to prospective budgeting. 2460.0204 Determining Monthly Income (RAP) Several factors are involved in determining a gross amount of monthly income to be budgeted. These are anticipating and projecting income, averaging income, and converting the income to a monthly amount.

When income is received more often than monthly, it will be converted to a monthly amount. When averaging income, use the most recent consecutive four weeks or the best available information when it is representative of the individual's future earnings.

Note: Failure to receive paychecks at regularly scheduled times does not warrant changes in eligibility. For example: Panther Imports paid their employees on the 30th of each month. In July, they decided to pay the employees on the 3rd of the following month. As a result, employees received their July check on August 3rd. Even though no earnings were received in July we consider the August 3rd pay in the July budget as it was money intended for July. 2460.0206 Budgeting Methods (RAP) The process of computing the amount of income to be considered in determining financial eligibility and the benefit amount is called "budgeting". When determining financial eligibility, one or more budget calculations will be completed. The best estimate of an assistance group's income and circumstances is used to determine the benefit amount. When determining benefits for a past month the AG's actual income and circumstances are used. The income is compared to the appropriate income limit to arrive at the benefit amount. See Appendix A-5 and A-7 for income charts.