Based on the above evaluation of wage information, determine how best to use the information to project monthly income. In all circumstances, recording must clearly support the worker’s decision.
- Income is stable (amount does not vary from pay period to pay period and no changes are expected) – Use wage information provided, and convert to a monthly amount.
- Income Varies With No Set Pattern And No Change Indicated – Average representative past earnings to determine the monthly amount of income.
- Income Varies Due to Receipt of Overtime – Include overtime if it is expected to continue.
- Income Varies With No Set Pattern And A Pay Raise Has Been Received – Multiply the average number of hours by the new hourly wage.
- Income from New Employment – Use employer’s statement or the best information available to project income. Remind the client of his/her responsibility to report changes. If necessary, set a priority to check the income again in the future.
- Income includes shift differentials, bonuses or other variances to the normal hourly wage – Include those variances if they can reasonably be predicted and expected to continue.
- Income Includes tips – Consider tips received as wages. Because actual tips received may differ from tips reported by the employer for tax purposes, it may be necessary to contact the client and obtain a statement from him/her regarding tips received.
- Seasonal Income – Use the best information available. Often, the best projection may be obtained by averaging the hours worked for the same period during the previous year, then multiplying that by the current rate of pay.