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1012 Chapter 7:Worker guides • Section 1: Multiple program worker guides (07/2026) At renewal, if they fail to supply acceptable verification of the self employment income, they will be denied. Do not use “No Verification – Hardship” if they have received the ONE – 108 and failed to keep records. Narrate the conversation and notice given. Individuals with marginal employment – such as those experiencing homelessness – sometimes report very limited earnings from collecting and redeeming beverage containers, selling plasma, returning airport luggage carts for the deposit money, etc. In many cases, requiring them to provide written verification of self-employment earnings would be an unreasonable barrier to eligibility. To get an acceptable estimate of their income, ask the individual about their typical monthly earnings and accept their self-attestation. If the person is not sure about how much money they earn, ask: • What the money is spent on. For example, if the individual says they make enough to buy cigarettes for the month, how much do they smoke? If they pick up cans to pay their OHP premium, do they have any money left over after paying? • How many days a week they typically pick up cans (or how many times a month they sell their plasma). If the person says they pick up three or four bags of cans a week, about how many cans fit in one bag? • How much walking around money they get? Most of the time, how much money do you have in your pocket? Note: If the individual is claiming marginal income, but substantial living expenses, income verification must be provided as this is questionable information. Identifying countable business income Most applicants accurately report their stake in a business. Others will report only the portion they draw each month in earnings. Some red flags that may lead you to ask about other business income include: • Paychecks are always in exact hundreds (e.g., $800, $1100); • Paychecks are personal checks or handwritten business checks; • Wages are too low to cover the individual’s claimed expenses; • When you check the employer’s business on the computer:
The owner has the same last name as the individual;
The individual is listed as an officer or agent of the company • Service employees (nail technicians, hairstylists, etc.) report no tips. Personal and business bank statements often reveal diverted income. Be sure to check the business name on the account. If you see any DBA (doing business as), check the ownership and agents listed for other businesses. Also review the types of payments going into and coming out of the business account. A small business owner may be depositing all earnings into the business, then paying personal bills such as credit cards directly from the business account. Ask questions to determine how much income to count. Ask what costs the business pays. If tax forms show costs for rent, mortgage, etc., get the address of the property and compare it to the home address. If you determine that the corporation is paying the home mortgage, etc., add those amounts to the individual’s income and allow the appropriate shelter and utility deductions.