(a) The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is determined based on the best estimate of the amount of income anticipated to be received.

• (1) Income received in varying amounts is averaged to establish the amount to be anticipated and considered in determining eligibility.  The past 30 days of income is averaged to indicate what income can be anticipated.  The available paystubs which accurately reflect the amount the individual earns on an ongoing basis are used unless:
  • (A) the individual has new employment and paystubs are not available.  In this instance, the employer's statement is obtained and must include hourly wage, number of hours worked, and frequency of pay;  • 1
  • (B) there has been a change in hourly wage.  The new hourly wage is verified by a paystub(s) which includes the new hourly wage.  If a paystub reflecting the hourly wage change is not available, the employer is contacted for verification;
  • (C) there has been a change in number of hours worked.  When paystubs are not available, the increase or decrease in hours is verified with the employer and then multiplied by the hourly wage to arrive at the pay for the period;
  • (D)  the individual obtains a second job.  The monthly earnings from each job is computed separately and then added together for the total month's gross; or
  • (E) paystubs are not representative of the normal circumstances.  The case record is documented to show why the current pay stubs are not representative of the normal work week and, therefore, not used in the computation.  In this instance, income is anticipated by using only the paystubs that are representative.
• (2) Income received more often than monthly must be converted to a monthly amount as described in (A) - (D) of this paragraph.  The worker must exercise extreme caution when determining whether income is received twice a month or biweekly, every two weeks.  • 2
  • (A) Income received on a daily basis is converted to a weekly amount, then multiplied by 4.3.
  • (B) Income received weekly is multiplied by 4.3.
  • (C) Income received twice a month is multiplied by 2.
  • (D) Income received every two weeks is multiplied by 2.15.

(b) In the process of determining the amount of income, it is important to define time frames for verification.  The individual is advised in writing concerning the agreed upon verification to be provided within the time frame.  If a certification is for a past month, then the actual income, if known, is used when determining the amount to be considered in the past month.  Once acceptable verification is provided, no further information is required unless a change occurs.  If an individual reports new employment and representative pay periods have not been completed, the best estimate is determined from the information provided by the individual and the employer.

(c) Some case closures may be based on anticipated income.  If the individual reports within 30 days of the effective termination date that the anticipated income was not received or was in a lesser amount which does not cause ineligibility, the case is recertified by the administrative error process.

(d) An individual is responsible for reporting changes within 10 days of when the change took place. Action taken by the worker is timely if taken within 10 days of the reporting of the change.  • 3  All client notices must include the timely reporting requirement.