Gross, non-exempt income must be verified for all households prior to certification. However, in cases where all attempts to verify income have been unsuccessful because the person or organization providing the income fails to cooperate with the household, the worker must determine the amount to be used based on the best available information.

You will need to determine the income source, amount, frequency of receipt, and time of receipt for every household member reporting income. There are many different ways to accomplish the task of verifying income.

The following documents may be used to verify earned income:

1. Pay stubs
2. Employee W-2 forms
3. Wage tax receipts
4. State or Federal Income Tax returns
5. Self-Employment Bookkeeping records
6. Sales or expenditure records
7. Employer wage records
8. Statements from employer
9. Employment Security office
10. State Income Tax Bureau

Your client may provide verification on other forms of income by providing the following information:

1. Award letters
2. Benefit payment checks
3. Correspondence on benefits
4. Income tax records
5. Support and alimony payments as
   evidenced by court order
6. Divorce or separation papers
7. Contribution checks
8. Union records
9. Workers’ compensation records
10. Veteran’s Administration records
11. Tax Records