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Determining Reasonably Anticipated Monthly Income
Income is “reasonably anticipated” when the recipient and the EW determines it is reasonably certain that the recipient will receive a specific amount of monthly income in the SAR Payment Period. If the amount of income that will be received or when it will be received is uncertain, the portion of the AU’s household income that is uncertain must not be counted.
Under SAR, recipients will no longer be required to report an exact amount of anticipated monthly income for each month of the SAR period. Instead, recipients will be required to provide information for the Data Month and any anticipated changes in the six months following the Submit Month. The income received in the Data Month is considered reasonably anticipated and will be used in the budget calculations, unless the recipient reports that they anticipate a change in the upcoming SAR Period.
If an AU anticipates new income from a new source in the upcoming SAR Payment Period, such as a new job or unemployment benefits, this income must be considered reasonably anticipated if it is determined that:
- The AU verifies that the income has been or will be approved or authorized within the upcoming SAR period, or the household is otherwise reasonably certain that the income will be received within the SAR period,
- The anticipated amount of the income is known and verified, or the AU is otherwise reasonably certain of the amount of the income; and
- The start date of the income is known and verified, or the AU is otherwise reasonably certain of the start date of the income.
If an AU anticipates new income, but does not have reasonable certainty of the dates and amounts expected to be received, this income cannot be considered reasonably anticipated and therefore cannot be used in determining the benefits for the upcoming SAR Payment Period. If the new income exceeds the IRT mid-period, then the recipient would have to report it, and benefits will be recalculated as necessary.
Use the following chart to assist with determining when income is considered reasonably anticipated:
If the client states that the... |
Then the EW must... |
Monthly income fluctuates or Income received in the Data Month will change in the upcoming SAR period, |
Attempt to find out the amount of income the AU reasonably anticipates receiving. |
Monthly income fluctuates but agrees to a minimum/average amount, |
Use the reported amount of reasonably anticipated income. |
Amount can not be anticipated or Payment will not occur until the next SAR period, |
Not use the income as it is not considered to be reasonably anticipated. |
Income will change or stop, |
Not consider the income to be reasonably anticipated. |
Reminder: Unless the AU is reasonably certain of the amount and the start date, new income cannot be considered as reasonably anticipated.
Only the portion of income that the AU reasonably anticipates receiving can be used in the benefit calculation.
Applicants/Recipients must be advised that if their actual income is less than the anticipated income, a mid-period voluntary report of the decreased income should be made. Verification must be provided in order to increase the benefit amount mid-period.
Related Topics
Income Starting or Ending Mid-Period
Income Tests and Grant Determination
Budgeting the Income of a Person Being Discontinued from the Existing AU
Reporting Changes Affecting Eligibility and Grant Determinations/Mid-period Changes
County-Initiated Mid-Period Changes
Special Budgeting Considerations