Prospecting Income for the Certificate Period 400-28-75-10

(Revised 10/1/18 ML #3538)

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IM 5363

 

 

NDAC 75-02-01.3-07

 

Gross income, either earned or unearned, must be determined prospectively as eligibility is determined for a specific certificate period.

 

Income from the following timeframes must be verified and documented at application or review:

• Income from the month prior to the application or review, and
  
• Income from the month of application or review through the date the application or review is received by the county social service office.

If income from the specified timeframes is NOT reflective of anticipated income for the certificate period, the household must verify their anticipated monthly income.

 

Total countable household income at the time of application must be at or below 60% SMI, based on the DN 241 Sliding Fee Schedule.

Total countable household income at the time of review must be evaluated for graduated eligibility based on policy at Graduated Eligibility 400-28-25-15.

Prospected income amounts are rounded down to the nearest dollar.

 

Note: If an employer verifies a range of work hours, the higher number of work hours verified will be used to determine the prospected income.

 

Example 1:

A household applies for CCAP on November 18th. The household reports that they had a job end in October and received their last check from that job on November 5th. The household also reports that they started a new job November 10th. Income from the terminated job from October is not considered when prospecting income. Anticipated income from their new job that started in November would be used.

 

Example 2:

A household applies for CCAP on June 4th. Paystubs from May indicate that the household worked an additional 10 hours of overtime each week in May. The household verifies that they will no longer receive overtime in June or July. The income from overtime hours in May is not used when prospecting income for the certificate period.

If the household requests assistance for the month prior to the application month, actual income, including terminated sources, received in that month must be verified and used. Income is NOT prospected for the prior month.

 

Example:

A household applies for CCAP on June 4th and requests assistance with May child care costs from May. In May the household worked an additional 10 hours of overtime each week. All regular and overtime income would be considered and used for the month of May.

 

Adding or Removing a Household Member

 

When adding a household member during the eligibility period, all gross income and deductions of that individual is considered and must be evaluated for an increase or decrease in benefits. If it results in a decrease, the income and deductions are not added and no further action is needed. If it results in an increase, the income and deductions are added based on timely reporting. In order to allow an increase in benefits, the new household member must verify income from the following timeframes:

• Income from the month prior to joining the household, and
  
  
• Income from the month of joining the household.
  
  
• If income from the specified timeframes is NOT reflective of anticipated income for the eligibility period, the household must verify the anticipated monthly income.

If the household fails to provide verification, the previously verified amount is used and the benefit remains the same. If there is no previously verified amount (i.e. household reports paying child support and previously had not), no change is made and the benefit remains the same.

 

When removing a household member during the certificate period, all gross income and deductions of that individual are removed effective the month the household member is removed from the household if it results in an increase in benefits.

 

Waived Co-Pay

 

Ongoing CCAP cases that were in receipt of Crossroads, Diversion, TANF or Transition, but are no longer participating in one of those programs, must have their income prospected for the remainder of the certificate period. Income from the following timeframes must be verified and documented:

 

• Income from the month prior to the case closure, and
• Income from the month of case closure.

 

If income from the specified timeframes is NOT reflective of anticipated income for the certificate period, the household must verify their anticipated monthly income.

 

Ongoing CCAP cases that become eligible for Crossroads, Diversion, TANF or Transition must have their income removed from the CCAP case effective the month of eligibility of one of those programs.