5160-6        ESTIMATING A PARTIAL MONTH’S INCOME

When a household's income from a source begins or ends, it may be necessary to estimate a partial month’s income.  For these situations, do not use conversion factors to estimate the income.

If the household receives or expects to receive a partial month’s income from a source in a month, estimate the income by totaling the actual income received and the income the household expects to receive in the month.

1.    Beginning Income in Month of Application:

Example:

Maria applies on June 25.  She just began receiving weekly unemployment benefits of $100 and will receive a $200 check every two weeks.  She received her first check of $200 on June 18.  Her next check will be received July 2.  Count $200 unemployment benefits for the month of June.  Since she will receive a full month’s income in July, estimate July’s and subsequent months income using the 2.15 bi-weekly conversion factor ($200 x 2.15 = $430) and count $430 for July and subsequent months.

2.    Beginning Income in Ongoing Case:

Example:

Char reports on February 7th that she will start receiving bi-weekly payments from an annuity.  She will receive her first payment March 18th.  This will be the only check received in March.  Determine eligibility for March counting the one payment she will receive on March 18th.  Since she will receive a full month’s income in April, estimate April’s and subsequent months income by multiplying the bi-weekly payment by the 2.15 conversion factor.   

3.    Ending Income in Month of Application:

Example:   

Clarissa applies on August 13 and is interviewed the same day.  She received her last unemployment benefit check of $200 on August 6.  Count $200 income for August.  Since she will no longer receive benefits, no unemployment income is counted for September.

4.    Ending Income in Ongoing Case:

Example:

Kevin reports on September 3 that his seasonal job will end in September.  The final check from this source will be received in October.  The anticipated actual amount of the final check is estimated for October.

5.    Income Changing During the Month:

Example:

Venietia applies for assistance on June 16, and reports that she has a job that pays twice a month.  She provides paychecks showing that she was paid $500 on May 10 and $600 on May 25.  However, during the last half of May, she had to take some time off without pay due to an illness in the family and so did not receive a paycheck on June 10.  She returned to work on June 1 at her regular pay and expects to be paid $550 on June 25.

Since Venietia will not receive a full month’s pay during June, this is considered to be a partial month’s income.  The income for June is estimated by calculating the amount that she will receive on the June 25 paycheck.  Income for July will be estimated based on a full month's income.