440-2        WHEN INCOME IS COUNTED

 

Generally, we count income at the earliest of the following points:

 

 

Occasionally, a regular periodic payment is received in a month other than the month of normal receipt.  As long as there is no intent to interrupt the regular payment schedule, consider the funds to be income in the normal month of receipt.

 

 

 

When income is counted in a month other than the month that evidence in the file shows the income was actually received, document the reason in the case note.

 

Retroactive benefits, whether paid in one lump sum or by installment, are counted as unearned income in the month payment is received.

 

Exception:

Retroactive SSISupplemental Security Income and SSASocial Security Administration Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) benefits are not counted as income in the month of receipt.  See APA MS 441-2(Q)

 

Income must be evaluated as a resource in the month following the month of normal receipt.

 

 

Example:

A company sends out its retirement pension checks so that they arrive on the first day of each month.  However, because January 1 is a holiday, the checks are delivered on December 30.  The client brings in his pension check on December 31 as evidence of his income, and explains that he also received a pension check on December 1.

The caseworker determines that the amount of the December 30 check is income for the normal month of receipt, which is January.  The check is counted as income for January rather than December because of these unusual circumstances.

 

 

 

 

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MC #65 (09/22)