Fluctuating vs Steady Income

Proper entry of income into FAMIS is essential to good casework and payment accuracy.

Steady income is paid to a recipient in the same amount on a regular basis and is not expected to vary from one pay period to the next. Disability income and wages of most salaried employees are common examples of steady income.

 

Fluctuating income is when a participant’s income varies from pay period to pay period. In this case, establish a likely pattern of future income to determine a monthly average. If income fluctuates to the extent that a 30-day period does not provide an accurate indication of projected income, work with the household to determine a mutually agreed upon period of time that would accurately project ongoing earnings.

 

Example of entering steady income: Alex applied on 6/10/19. He works at Bell’s Lock & Key and makes $500 on a weekly basis. Alex states his paycheck is always $500 every Friday and no changes are expected.

  1. From Income Amount (FMX3)
  2. Enter Budget Month, Frequency, Calculation Method, Hourly (Y/N) and Pay/Hour
  3. Enter all income information in the repeating lines

  1. Press CTRL
  2. Press F18=COMMENT and record the details as to why the income was entered as it is and why it is correct.

 

Example of entering fluctuating income:

Simon applied on 6/12/19. He works as a personal trainer at Fitness 4 U. Simon is paid based on how many clients he sees on a bi-weekly basis; therefore, his earnings fluctuate each pay period. Simon submitted 5 bi-weekly paystubs showing his gross earnings.

  1. From Income Amount (FMX3)
  2. Enter Budget Month, Frequency, Calculation Method, Hourly (Y/N) and Pay/Hour
  3. Enter all income information in the repeating lines
    1. Be sure to gather pay information for a timeframe that will accurately represent average earnings

  1. Press CTRL
  2. Press F18=COMMENT and record the details as to why the income was entered as it is and why it is correct; including any conversation with the participant regarding the mutually agreed upon period of time that would accurately project ongoing earnings.