IM-20 April 1, 2024; IM-89 June 27, 2022
Obtaining verification of earned income is required for all MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) eligibility determinations. Documentary evidence (examples: wage stubs, written statement from employer, Verification of Earnings (VOE)) must be obtained for any earned income source claimed by the client. The verification obtained must represent the best information available that can be used to predict future earned income.
- At a minimum, verification of earned income received in the past 30 days must be obtained if available.
- If that information is not available or does not reflect the client’s current income, a statement from the employer must be used. (Examples: client has a new job or client states s/he does not keep wage stubs.)
- For self-employment use last year’s tax return to verify earnings. If that is not available, use current business records.
IMES information must be checked for all assistance group members age 16 or older to help ensure that the applicant has provided full and complete information. However, IMES information is not considered verification of earned income.
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.
Note: Although application interviews are not required, it may be necessary to contact the client to clarify information obtained from the verification provided.