Income Best Estimate guide

Revised date

Proof of income

Obtain proof of income (e.g., pay stub, employer statement, tax return) from the individual to answer the following questions.

Subject Questions
Rate of pay
  • Does the individual receive a salary or an hourly wage?
    • If hourly, what is the hourly wage and how many hours does the individual work each pay period?
  • Is the individual paid by the piece?
    • If paid for piecework, how much is the individual paid for each piece and how many pieces do they normally complete each pay period?
  • Does the individual receive tips or commissions?
Pay dates
  • What are the individual's pay periods?
  • What are the individual's pay dates?
  • Is the individual paid on the same day each week?
  • Is the individual paid on specific days of each month?
Past income
  • If unable to anticipate expected hours or pay rate, look at past income:
    • Do the last 3 months represent what the individual should get?
    • Do the last 30 days represent what the individual should get?
  • Should special circumstances be considered when looking at past income?
    • If the individual has a new job, is there a partial first check?
    • Does one of the pay periods include a time the individual had leave without pay due to illness or other reasons?
    • Did one pay period include overtime because the individual worked extra hours for a sick coworker?
    • Is the income higher or lower than normal due to seasonal fluctuations?
Recent changes
  • Has the individual recently lost their job?
    • When will the individual get their last check?
    • Will the individual get any money from "cashing out" vacation, sick pay, or retirement benefits?
    • Will the individual get any severance pay, unemployment compensation, or retirement benefits?
  • Has there been a recent employment change:
    • From full-time to part-time?
    • In the number of hours worked?
    • In the individual's wage or salary?
    • From one job to another?
  • Has the individual received overtime pay or bonuses?
  • Have there been other changes that would impact eligibility or benefit level?
Changes expected during the certification period
  • Are the hours going to go up or down?
  • Is the income ending?
  • Has the individual’s job just started?
  • Will they receive more paychecks next month than they did this month?

Please report broken links or content problems.