Examples of projecting income:

Example 1 : Mrs. Green is employed temporarily for AAA Employment Agency. Mrs. Green usually works every week, but her days and hours worked vary weekly. After a discussion, Ms. Green agreed that her past 5 pay periods are a good indication of her regular income as her hours vary week to week. Mrs. Green states she receives a wage stub weekly, but she has not saved them. After unsuccessfully attempting to contact the employer with Mrs. Green, staff generates a Request for Information allowing 10 days for her to provide the agreed upon 5 wage stubs. Mrs. Green provides the wage stubs prior to the 30th day, and staff use the wage stubs provided and project income based on discussion with Mrs. Green.

Note: In this example, Mrs. Green has the ability to provide wage verification. If due to circumstances beyond her control she is unable to provide wage verification, project income based on the discussion with Mrs. Green.

Example 2 : Mr. Cook works as “casual labor” for a trucking company and is paid in cash. Mr. Cook’s work pattern varies each week, and he is paid by the job rather than by the hour or day. Mr. Cook has no record of his past income and the employer is not willing to provide wage verification for “casual labor”. Discuss patterns of income for at least the past 30 days and anticipated changes (e.g. busy season) to arrive at a mutually agreed upon projection of earned income. Advise Mr. Cook to keep his own record of earnings and report when his earnings exceed 130% of poverty.

Example 3 : Ms. Smith works a regular 40 hours per week at the local factory for the past three years doing piece work. Her income varies from pay period to pay period depending on her production. No changes are expected in the piece work rate of pay or in the hours worked. After a discussion with Ms. Smith regarding variations in her earnings over the past several months, it is determined that eight pay stubs would prove the best projection of anticipated income. Document the use of eight wage stubs to adequately evaluate the income fluctuations.

Example 4 : Mrs. Barry has worked at a department store for the past two years. Her income varies from pay period to pay period due to hours worked. A discussion regarding anticipated changes in income reveals that Mrs. Barry’s rate of pay will change from $17.25 to $18.25 per hour for the next pay period, which was later verified by her supervisor. In discussing what would best represent her income, Mrs. Barry indicates that five pay periods would be the best representation of her hours worked and information from the past 30 days supports this. When the last five wage stubs are provided, multiply the hours on each check by the new rate of pay $18.25 per hour. Record why five wage stubs were used to project income, and that the projection includes the participant’s new rate of pay.

Example 5 : Ms. Johnson works as a clerk in an insurance firm. Her regular rate of pay is $18.00 per hour. However, for the past four months she has been working overtime during each weekly pay period. Ms. Johnson states she expects the overtime to continue. Staff determines, through discussion with Ms. Johnson, that the past two months’ pay periods best represent wages she anticipates receiving. Two months after approval, Ms. Johnson, calls to report that she is no longer working overtime. The employer verifies this, and the case is updated.