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New applicants who have not received TANF, Medical Program coverage, or SNAP for a period of three consecutive months before the application month, or new household members who have not received benefits for three months before moving into the household, may not have been keeping accurate records of self-employment income and expenses. The policy in C-932 , Advisor Responsibility for Verifying Information, should be used to obtain verifications needed to determine eligibility and what types of verification are readily available to the household. Any business records that are available for use (even if this documentation is for a short period of time) should be accepted, in addition to the individual's statement and any proof that might be available from a collateral source, as sufficient proof.

The advisor must verify:

at least the last two recent pay amounts when determining the amount of self-employment income received monthly;

at least four consecutive recent pay amounts when determining the amount of self-employment income received more often than monthly, such as semi-monthly, bi-weekly or weekly; and

at least four consecutive weeks for self-employment income received daily.

The individual is not required to provide verification of self-employment income and expenses for more than two calendar months before the interview date for income received monthly or more often.

The applicant's statement is accepted as proof if:

there is a reasonable explanation why documentary evidence or a collateral source is not available; and

the applicant's statement does not contradict other individual statements or other information received by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

Exception: If the business is new and there is insufficient information to make a reasonable projection, the income is calculated based on anticipated earnings and expenses.

The advisor must inform the household in writing to keep self-employment records and receipts for verification purposes for future recertifications. Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, contains the self-employment information.