Effective Dates: 08/07/2023 - Present Previous | Next

TN 71 (08-23)

SI 00810.600 Period for Which an Estimate is Required

A. Operating policy

1. Period for which estimate is required

Develop and record the best possible estimates of anticipated income, month-by-month, for the month of effective filing (GN 00204.007) or for the month of redetermination and for the next l4 months. See SI 00810.600A.2. in this section for exceptions to the l4-month period. See SI 00810.600A.3. in this section for inputting estimates.

NOTE: 

All references to the period for entering income data are subject to systems limitations.

2. Exceptions

a. Earlier redetermination or review of income

Some claims will undergo a review of income sooner than the period mentioned in 1. above (e.g., cases which use alternative wage verification procedures as described in SI 00820.140).

  • •

    For initial claims that are not deferred development cases,  estimate future income for the month of effective filing through the month the next review of income will be completed.

  • •

    For initial claims involving deferred development, estimate future income for the month of effective filing through the month the FO expects to recontact the individual after medical allowance, to determine potential eligibility. Then estimate future income from the month of recontact after medical allowance through the month the next review of income will be completed.

  • •

    For redeterminations, or reviews of income, estimate future income through the month the next review of income will be completed.

b. Suspense status

If a person has been in current pay status and is being placed in suspense status, estimate through the first month of suspense. Unless you have verified that the income will stop, enter a continuing code as part of the last month's entry.

c. Net earnings from self-employment

Estimate net earnings from self-employment on the basis of a taxable year. See SI 00820.230 for more information on estimating net earnings from self-employment.

3. Inputting estimates

In general, input estimates of income for the month of effective filing or the month of redetermination and for the next 14 months (or for a shorter period if one of the exceptions in SI 00810.600A.2. above applies).

NOTE: 

It is not necessary to input wage estimates in deferred development cases before receiving a medical allowance.

If you receive a new estimate of wages which will reduce ongoing payments, input the new estimates to affect the first month payment can be reduced. Do not change any estimates for months before the month in which you make an input to affect the first month payment can be reduced. The old estimates will be verified at the next redetermination or review of income.

NOTE: 

The above procedure prevents the system from computing an overpayment based on unverified income.

B. Documentation

If the period for estimating income is shortened because of one of the exceptions in SI 00810.600A.2. above, or if the simplified entry rules in SI 00820.150E are applied, show in the file the basis for using these procedures (e.g., that a critical birthday is upcoming or that an individual's estimated earned income for each month never exceeds $65).

C. Examples

1. Initial claim—deferred development

Sam Polk files for SSI in March based on disability. Sam's only income consists of rental income which varies from month-to-month. The FO obtains estimates of Sam's net rental income for the period from the month of effective filing until a review of income will be completed (based on FO experience). Once the medical allowance is received, the FO verifies the income for the month of effective filing through the month prior to the month of the recontact. The FO then enters income estimates for the month of the recontact through the month the next redetermination or review of income will be completed, with a continuing code of “C” as part of the last entry.

2. Review of income in less than 15 months

An aged individual undergoes a redetermination in October. The individual's only income consists of fluctuating wages from a part-time seasonal job; the monthly amount exceeds $65. Since the individual's job will end in January, the FO documents that and diaries the case for a review of income at that time. The FO then obtains and enters income estimates for October through January, and enters a continuing code of “C” as part of the last entry.

D. Reference

Deferred development, SI 00603.001

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500810600
SI 00810.600 - Period for Which an Estimate is Required - 08/07/2023
Batch run: 08/07/2023
Rev:08/07/2023