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247 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 5: Financial eligibility determining eligibility because each program has different treatment regarding self-employment income and financial eligibility. Verification of self-employment income can include tax records, business ledgers or other business records that clearly show the business income. In most situations, the past year’s records can be used to budget for the current year, unless the applicant states this income is not representative; in this case, new verification is needed and can be anticipated based on the past month or more. Click here for the Self-Employment Worker Guide. SNAP Self-employed individuals should have their income annualized when the self-employed person has been in business for a year or more and the income is representative. This income should not be changed at the Periodic Report, and ODHS|OHA would not make the applicant provide verification of their income again. However, if there is a change in the self-employment business, then create a new record even at Periodic Report and ONE will follow the income change rules. Ensure a good case note is added in ONE. If the self-employed person has not been in business for more than one year, but their past income is representative, ODHS|OHA accept this as representative income verification. For SNAP, self-employed individuals without any income records can be certified once without providing income verification. At the initial certification interview, explain to the individual that they must begin keeping income records and provide the verification at Periodic Report or during their renewal, whichever is earlier. ONE will issue the notice “Proof Needed for Self-Employment Income” (ONE-108) when “No Verification/Hardship” is selected in the verification field. This notice explains to the individual they must begin keeping income records and provide verification of their self-employment income the next time SNAP is requested. If they reapply and fail to provide their self-employment income verification, they may be denied. Enter a detailed case note regarding the conversation. Some income types are rarely seen in the branch. Other types are treated differently depending on the individual case situation. For example, an in-home caregiver may be an employee receiving a wage or may be self-employed. If paid by the state this is always considered Wages. The determination must be made carefully for each applicant. The self-employment determination is based on many factors including but not limited to who pays the income taxes, FICA or worker’s compensation for the applicant. See the Self-employment Screening tool in ONE linked on the Income Questions screen. A person has self-employment income if they are working in their own business, trade or profession where they are responsible for obtaining or providing the service or product. Individuals who are self- employed independently determine the manner, method and process of business operations, and they have full responsibility for the success or failure of the business operation. If the person does not meet those criteria, they are not considered self-employed. For SNAP, self-employment income is generally annualized if the business has been in operation for more than 12 months; the income may be earned part of the year but intended to live on for the full year, and the applicant anticipates the income from the past is representative of the future. However, ODHS|OHA should not annualize the income if the past income does not reflect the household’s actual income circumstances because the business is experiencing a substantial increase or decrease in business.