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Title 7: SNAP Page 4 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter F: Budgeting Anticipating Income Revised February 13, 2026 Past 30 Days’ Income If the income source is new, follow policies for New Income Source. Be sure to document the income used and why it was used. Procedure: For initial applications, use income received in the 30 days before the interview to estimate income for the certification period, unless changes have occurred or are anticipated. For recertifications, use the 30-day period of income the household provides with the Review/Recertification Eligibility Document (RRED) when the household has indicated on the RRED that their income will stay about the same and you determine that is reasonable based on their circumstances. 1. Get verification of the past 30 days’ income. See 7-E, Income Verification Requirements for what is acceptable as verification. Estimate future income from tips using verification provided as stated in 7-E, Tips. 2. If the household reports the income they verified is not expected to stay the same, discuss with them why the verified information is not indicative of future income. Make a reasonable estimate of anticipated income based on the verified information and their additional statements. If, for any reason, a household disagrees with the anticipated prospective income calculation, additional verification should be requested. If you find the anticipated income questionable while discussing the anticipated prospective income with them, additional verification may be requested. Clearly document the income determination in a manner that supports the reasonableness and accuracy of the determination. 3. If the past 30 days’ income includes a third or fifth check, see Conversion of Weekly and Biweekly Income to estimate a monthly amount. 4. The household may provide verification more recent than 30 days before the interview or with the RRED. If this happens, use a new 30-day period that includes the more recent verification if it is indicative of future income. 5. When income fluctuates seasonally, use the most recent season’s income as an indicator of income for the same months of the new certification period. If the seasonal income changed or a change is anticipated, determine income using the best information available. For example, people who are employed by lawn care or snow removal businesses are seasonally employed.

1. At his May application interview, Doug says that he expects to receive $600 in the month of August for working at the State Fair. Because he is certain he will be working again and he will earn at least $600, that amount is used to determine August eligibility and benefits.