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Chapter: 2400 Budgeting Income Program: FS 2 2410.0204 Determining Monthly Income (FS) Several factors are involved in determining a gross amount of monthly income to be budgeted. These are:

1. anticipating and projecting income, 2. averaging income, and 3. converting the income to a monthly amount.

Once an average amount of income is computed, several factors must be considered to arrive at the gross amount of monthly income. These factors are:

1. When income is received more often than monthly, it will be converted to a monthly amount. 2. 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: The income of a destitute assistance group is not subject to averaging. 2410.0204.01 Income Received Less Often than Monthly (FS) When calculating the gross monthly amount from income received less often than monthly, it is best to have verified income data from a four week period. However, it may not be possible to obtain verification for four weeks if the individual has not been employed that long. Total the verified income and divide that income by the number of pay periods the income is intended to cover. 2410.0207 Adding Individuals to an AG (FS) The FS assistance group may be entitled to an increased allotment for the month following the month of the reported change, as a result of adding an individual. If benefits have been issued prior to processing this change, the eligibility specialist will issue an auxiliary. 2410.0213 Destitute AGs (FS) Only migrant and seasonal farm worker households are considered as destitute food stamp AGs who qualify for special income calculation procedures. These assistance groups at times have little or no income when they apply even though they will receive income later in the month of application. Destitute food stamp AGs are entitled to expedited service (refer to Chapter 800) and special income calculation procedures at application and at eligibility review, but only for the first month of each eligibility period. 2410.0214.01 Determining Destitute Status (FS) The determination of destitute status is based on consideration of migrant or seasonal farm worker earned income which is from terminated and new sources. Procedures in 2410.0214.02 through 2410.0216.04 should be used to determine if these households meet destitute status. 2410.0214.02 Earned Income from a Terminated Source (FS) Income received on a monthly or more frequent basis is considered as coming from a terminated source when it is not received from the same source during the balance of the month of application or during the following month.

For example, if income is received on a quarterly basis (e.g., pay dates are January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1) and the AG applies in mid-January, the income should not be considered as coming from a terminated source merely because no further income will be received in the balance of January or in February. In this situation the income would be from a terminated source if it is not anticipated to be received in April.