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Chapter: 2400 Budgeting Income Program: FS 1 2410.0000 Food Stamps 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. 2410.0100 INCOME LIMITS (FS) The Food Stamp Program uses gross and net income limits to determine eligibility. While most assistance groups must meet both the gross and the net income limit, assistance groups with an elderly or disabled member must only meet the net income limit. Refer to Appendix A-1 for the gross and net income limits. 2410.0200 BUDGETING (FS) Benefits for the Food Stamp Program are budgeted prospectively. 2410.0201 Prospective Budgeting (FS) 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 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. 2410.0202 Uncertain Income (FS) For the purpose of determining eligibility and level of benefits, all income received or anticipated to be received, with reasonable certainty by the assistance group (AG) during the certification period will be considered as income. However, if the amount of income that will be received, or when it will be received, is uncertain, do not consider that amount in the eligibility determination.

Example: An AG anticipating income from a new source, such as a new job or recent application for public assistance benefits, may be uncertain as to the timing and amount of initial benefit. If the exact amount of the income is not known, and the exact date of receipt cannot reasonably be anticipated, the income will not be included. If receipt of public assistance is anticipated, the notice must indicate that when approved, this income will be included in computing food stamps without advance notice.

Income received during the most recent consecutive four weeks is often the best indication of income that will be available to the AG in the future and this income is generally averaged and projected forward prospectively over the food stamp certification period. However, if income changes are anticipated or have already occurred, a four week average should not be used.