1115.020.00 Determining Income – DSS Manuals

IM-27 May 1, 2014 ; IM-14 January 23, 2003

For initial applications:

Count income already received by the household during the month of application.

Anticipate income the household and the eligibility specialist are reasonably certain will be received during the remainder of the certification period.

For recertification applications:

Count income to be received in the first month of the new certification.

Anticipate income the household and the eligibility specialist are reasonably certain will be received during the remainder of the certification period.

If the amount of income that will be received, or when it will be received, is uncertain, do not count the portion of the household’s income that is uncertain. For example, a household anticipating income from a new source, such as a new job or recently applied for public assistance benefits may be uncertain as to the timing and amount of the initial payment. Income shall not be anticipated unless there is reasonable certainty of the month in which the payment will be received and in what amount.

EXAMPLE: Mrs. A has a part-time job and was approved for SSA on 1/18. It is not certain that Mrs. A will receive an SSA check in the month of February. Therefore, only the income from her employment is counted for the month of February. If it is certain Mrs. A will receive the SSA payment in February, it is counted as income for February.