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DIVISION OF WELFARE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES Child Care Policy Manual a monthly basis or on normal paydays, it should be included in the 30-day best estimate. If the bonus is received quarterly, bi-annually, or annually, it should be included in the best estimate of annual income. • Commissions – money paid based on a percentage of the sales that the employee makes. If a commission is received on a regular monthly basis or on regular paydays, include in the 30-day best estimate. If the commission is received monthly, quarterly, semi-yearly or yearly, include in the best estimate of annual income. • Fringe Benefit – the benefits, other than wages or salary, provided by an employer for employees (e.g., health insurance, vacation and/or sick time, disability income, paid holidays) received by an employee in addition to regular pay. If the employer pays the fringe benefit directly to the source (insurance carrier, child care provider, etc.) the benefit must not be included in the household’s countable income. In addition, if the employee has a choice on whether or not they receive the benefit, it must not affect their benefits if it is rejected or accepted as long as it is sent directly to the vendor. If the employee receives any portion of the additional benefit in their paycheck or in addition to their paycheck, it must be considered countable income. Note: Do not include meals as income unless the meals are included in the taxable gross. • Overtime – payment, usually at a higher rate, for time worked beyond the normal hours of employment. Budget income from overtime in the best estimate if is verified to be received on a regular monthly basis or is included on at least half of the pay stubs provided. Note: Do not budget income from overtime in the best estimate if it is verified it will not be received on a regular basis. Example: Customer is paid bi-weekly and provides two pay stubs with overtime on one pay stub; YTD totals on the pay stub and discussion with the customer confirms overtime is not received regularly. • Salary – a fixed amount of money or compensation paid to an employee by an employer in return for work performed. • Tips – A gratuity (also called a tip) is a sum of money customarily tendered to certain service sector workers for a service performed or anticipated. Note: If the tip compliance amount noted on the pay stub is less than the applicant’s and/or employer’s statement, the applicant/employer statement should be used when determining the tip income. • Wages – Money paid for labor or services to a worker; payment is based on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis or by the piece (paid for each unit produced or action performed). 306.48.2 How to Verify Employment Earnings Verification can be in the form of (not all inclusive): • Pay stubs; • Employment Verification, form 2186-WC; and • Statement from employer. If an employer statement does not provide sufficient information to accurately determine the individual’s ongoing income, the case manager must contact the employer for clarification. When contacting the employer or hiring personnel directly, the contact person’s name, title, date of contact, telephone number and all other pertinent income/employment status information (e.g., termination or beginning date of employment, type of position, days and hours of work, full-time or part- time employment, hours and hourly rate of pay, pay days, frequency of pay, bonus or commission pay, anticipated changes) must be documented in the computer system. 300- Income and Assets [22] MTL 01/24 July 1, 2024