0410.015.05.10 Examples of Income Patterns

The claimant worked the same number of hours each pay period, but began working varying amounts of overtime prior to the investigation. If the overtime is expected to continue, average the previous months’ wages, including the overtime, to determine the monthly amount of income to be budgeted. However, if the overtime is stopping, do not consider the overtime when averaging income for the budget. EXAMPLE: Ms. Johnson works in an insurance firm. She normally works 40 hours a week at $4.50 per hour. However, during the past 3 months she worked a lot of overtime at time-and-a-half. Both Ms. Johnson and the employer believe the overtime will continue for some time into the future. Verify Ms. Johnson earned $2,544 in the past three months. This amount, divided by three, equals $848 per month and is the countable monthly amount. Ms. Johnson, in this example, calls in to report she is no longer working overtime. The employer verifies this. Complete the budget based on Ms. Johnson’s normal wages of $4.50 per hour for 40 hours per week. $4.50 x 40 hours = $180 x 4.333 = $780, the monthly countable amount.
The claimant’s income is varied with no set pattern and there is no indication the income will change. Representative past earnings are averaged to determine the monthly amount of income to be budgeted. EXAMPLE: Ms. Smith has worked at the local factory for the past 3 years. She is paid $4.60 per hour but her income varies from pay period to pay period, depending on the number of hours worked. The rate Ms. Smith is paid and the number of working hours are not expected to change. determine the earnings of the previous 6 months, accurately reflect the claimant’s income pattern and verify al of the weekly check stubs for the past 6 months, which total $4585.36. This amount, divided by 6, equals $764.06 per month, the monthly countable amount.
The claimant’s income is varied with no set pattern. This income will likely continue in the same manner except the client is receiving an hourly raise. To arrive at the amount of income to be budgeted, determine the average number of hours and the average hourly wage. Add the raise to the average wage and determine the monthly amount. EXAMPLE: Mr. Jones has been employed ten weeks. His income varies from pay period to pay period due to hours worked. A discussion with Mr. Jones revealed he is receiving a 25¢ per hour raise because he passed his probationary period. This was verified by a letter from the employer. The check stubs for this 10-week period verify a total income $2060 and an average of 38 hours worked per week. The average hourly wage for the past ten weeks is $5.42 per hour ($2060 = 10 weeks at $206 per week ÷ 38 hours). The 25¢ raise is added to determine the future hourly wage ($5.42 + .25 = $5.67 per hour). The future average monthly income is determined ($5.67 x 38 hours per week = $215.46 per week x 4.333 weeks = $933.59 per month). $933.59 is the countable monthly amount.
When income changes predictably at certain times of the year (seasonal income), average the income over 12 months and reduce it to a monthly average. If such employment has a planned period of inactivity of 4 months or less, compute the employment on an annual basis and reduce it to an average monthly amount unless the claimant will not be re-employed at the same or similar work following the period of inactivity. In these situations, also prorate any expense of producing income. In addition, prorate any unemployment compensation received part of the time during the course of the year. EXAMPLE: Ms. Brown works at the local school. she works 10 months each year and is unemployed for 2 months in the summer. Ms. Brown’s salary is $6000 for the 10 months she works. when Ms. Brown works, she has an additional expense of producing income of $67.15 per month. Ms. Brown receives unemployment compensation of $30 per week for 8 weeks while she is unemployed in the summer To determine the monthly income and monthly expense of producing income:
1. Determine the average monthly earned income over 12 months ($6000 ÷ 12 = $500 per month). This amount is the monthly earned income.
2. Determine the standard earned income exemption. For $500, the exemption is $361.72.
3. Client reported additional expenses of producing income of $67.15 per month during the 10 months of employment. Compute the allowable deduction as follows:
  1. Determine the average monthly expense over 12 months ($67.15 monthly expense x 10 months = $671.50 total for year ÷ 12 months = $55.96 average monthly expense).
  2. Determine standard additional expense of producing income (%500 average monthly income x 10% = $50.00 per month expense).
  3. Compare and allow the larger of the 2 figures as the additional expense of producing income, i.e., $55.96.
4. Determine the monthly amount of unemployment compensation averaged over the year ($30 U.C. per week x 8 weeks = $240 total U.C. for year ÷ 12 months = $20 per month). If the claimant will not be re-employed at the same or similar work following the period of inactivity, the monthly budgetable income is based on the actual months employed and adjusted on a priority basis when the period of inactivity begins. If the planned period of inactivity is more than 4 months, the claimant must choose whether to allow income on the basis of 12 months or the actual number of months employed. If the claimant chooses to allow income on the basis of 12 months, the previous example serves as a guide for determining monthly income. If the claimant chooses the actual number of months employed, the monthly income must be adjusted on a priority basis for the period(s) of inactivity and again when the claimant is re-employed. If U.C. is received during this period, it is shown as unearned income.