IM-20 April 1, 2024; IM-30 April 3, 2023; IM-89 June 27, 2022; IM-14 March 8, 2021; IM-169 December 2, 2019; IM-96 July 13, 2017; IM-17 February 21, 2017; IM-97 November 9, 2015
Countable self-attested income must be confirmed or verified by utilizing the methods below; see 1805.030.20.05 Income Included Under MAGI.
Reasonable Compatibility
Reasonable Compatibility (RC) is applied to electronic data sources and the self-attested income to determine if additional verification is needed; see 1805.030.15 Reasonable Compatibility.
Electronic Data Sources
Federal regulations require FSD to attempt to confirm the self-attested income using available EOI from all applicable electronic data sources in conjunction with reasonable compatibility (RC) to determine if additional clarification on the self-attested income is needed from the participant.
Available electronic data sources include, but are not limited to the following:
- the Federal Data Hub, also known as the hub
- Verification received for other FSD programs
- Verification of Earnings (VOE)
- IIVE from Social Security Administration
- IMES* or information from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR)
*IMES provides state level information from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR). IMES is required in the electronic case record if it is accessed to review income information and it reflects something other than “no data”. An IMES is considered to contain “no data” when the IMES:
- is completely blank; or
- has no earned income data for the last 12 months, and displays no unemployment compensation received for the last 12 months
When IMES displays “no data”, document in the eligibility system the date the IMES was viewed and why the IMES was not considered useful in an income determination.
Refer to the Electronic Verification System (EVS) Manual for information on electronic data sources.
Employer or Income Source Discrepancies
Update the name of the employer when the participant reports a change in employers. If the self-attested name of the employer does not match the employer name from the EOI do not request additional information. RC compares the income amounts, not the name of the employer.
Zero Income
Confirm income of participants or households attesting zero income.
When zero income is self-attested and:
- the electronic data source shows zero income:
- The income is reasonably compatible, no further clarification is needed.
- the electronic data source shows income:
- Request a clarifying statement that reasonably explains the difference between the attested income and the EOI. First attempt to contact the participant by phone. If the participant’s statement reasonably explains the difference, update the self-attested income amount, if necessary.
- If the participant is not available, send a Request for Information specifically asking for clarification of the income discrepancy.
When income is attested and the electronic data source shows zero or no income:
- Request a clarifying statement that reasonably explains the difference between the attested income and the electronic data source income. First attempt to contact the individual by phone. If the participant’s statement reasonably explains the difference, update the self-attested income amount, if necessary.
- If the participant is not available, send a Request for Information specifically asking for clarification of the income discrepancy.
Income Verification
Paystubs and Award Letters
Request enough income verification to accurately reflect a projection of ongoing income. The most recent 30 days of income verification is often sufficient, but request more documentation if a longer period will provide a more accurate average. Seasonal occupations, medical leave, or fluctuating hours may result in a need for more income verification.
Income verification may include, but is not limited to:
- paystubs, such as from a job or unemployment compensation
- award letters for the current pay period
- bank statements to verify current interest
When the participant provides current pay verification, whether with an application or in response to a request for information, the pay verification functions in 2 ways. Use the verification to:
- update the self-attested income amount(s)
- verify the updated self-attested income amount
Self-Employment and Farm Income
Verification of self-employment or farm income is required in rare circumstances when the self-attested income amount is questionable. See 1805.030.15 Reasonable Compatibility for more. If self-employment or farm income is questionable, request verification. To verify self-employment or farm income, request taxes, along with all schedules, for the previous tax year. If the participant has not filed taxes, request the last 3 months of business ledgers or enough business ledgers to adequately project an amount of self-employment income for 12 months. Use the verification to budget the amount of income remaining after all allowable self-employment or farm expenses are deducted from gross income.