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ANTICIPATING EARNED INCOME In determining eligibility, the worker must reasonably anticipate the household s monthly income for the duration of the certification period. Reasonably anticipated income is based on the income received in the four weeks prior to the date of interview, based on frequency of pay, excluding any income that cannot be reasonably anticipated to continue during the certification period. For example, overtime not usually received, a one-time bonus, etc. If a future change is indicated at the time of application or recertification, the prospective income will be based on a future change. Future changes must be verified and include changes such as a job change, reduction of hours, a lay-off, etc. Noncontinuing income will not be considered in determining reasonably anticipated income for a household. However, the noncontinuing/terminated income will be counted in the appropriate budget month. Information known to the agency through any source (client reports, MAVERICS generated report, a fraud tip, seeing a client at work, etc.) must be acted upon. As mentioned earlier in this material, to reasonably anticipate the household income, the worker must explore the income from the four weeks prior to the interview for an applicant household or a recertification. If a change is reported during a certification period the worker must use check stubs, wage form, etc. to determine anticipated income. Example: At interview October 17, based on a household member s weekly pay schedule, the four most recent check stubs for the dates of September 23, September 30, October7, and October 14 would be requested. Example: A client paid bi-weekly is interviewed September 8. It is determined that the client s most recent paycheck was received September 2. Based on the pay schedule, check stubs for September 2 and August 19 would be requested to reasonably anticipate income. Example: A recipient reports a new job. The worker should use check stubs and/or a wage form (MDHS-EA-910) to determine countable anticipated income for the remainder of the certification period. When an individual changes jobs, only the income from the new job should be used to update the case. A MDHS-EA-910, Request for Employment Verification, completed by the employer is the best way to gather the information needed to work the case. A MDHS-EA-910, Request for Employment Verification, is used to determine the income when the individual does not have income from the four weeks prior to the interview. The worker will multiply the hourly rate by the average number of hours to obtain a weekly amount to be converted.

MISSISSIPPI [ INCOME: EARNED INCOME ] Revised 11 - 01 - 11