Effective Date: 09/01/03; 07/01/15
Reference:  89 Ill. Adm. Code, Chapter IV, §50.235

Policy Statement:

A family is considered "income eligible" when the combined gross monthly base income (earned and unearned) of all family members is at or below the Maximum Monthly Income Levels for the corresponding family size. In 2 parent families, both incomes must be combined to determine eligibility. Two-parent families include those with 2 or more adults living in the home, such as the applicant and his or her spouse or parents of a common child in the home.  Documentation must be secured for all income and maintained in the family eligibility file prior to approval for child care payments.

Procedure:

  1. Self-Employment Income Calculation
    Income Eligibility for a self-employed client is based on net income. Net income is obtained from the Federal Income Tax Return (IRS1040)
    and all applicable schedules and attachments. Personal and business tax returns must be submitted. Refer to 01.03.02 for other acceptable documentation if the client has not been self-employed long enough to have filed taxes.
    1. Subtract from gross self-employment income any allowable business expense necessary and directly related to producing goods or services. Allowable self-employment expenses include, but are not limited to:
      1. Replacement of stock,
      2. Purchasing inventory,
      3. Space rental,
      4. Utilities,
      5. Advertising,
      6. Salaries for employees other than the client,
      7. Transportation expenses required for employment, and
      8. Interest on loans for capital assets or durable goods.
        Income reinvested in a business, except for the purchase of real estate, is an allowable business expense. This includes the purchase of capital equipment, payment on the principal of loans, and other expenses needed to produce goods and services.
        NOTE: Capital equipment is equipment needed to produce self-employment goods (e.g. a printing press, copy machines, farm machinery, tools, sewing machines, tractors, tow trucks, etc.).
        Do not allow the following items as self-employment business expenses:
        1. Depreciation,
        2. Obsolescence and/or similar losses in the operation of the business, or Net losses from previous tax years
        3. Work-related personal expenses such as transportation to and from work;
        4. Federal, state, and local income taxes;
        5. Entertainment;
        6. Meals, and
        7. Money set aside for retirement
    2. Review the self-employment documentation submitted for expenses that are not allowed. If these expenses are included on the federal income tax return and are shown as deductions, the ineligible amounts must be added to the income.
    3. Figure monthly income by dividing annual self-employment income by 12.
    4. If the expenses exceed the gross receipts, the self-employment income will be zero (-0-). Those additional expenses which exceed the gross receipts will not be subtracted from other income from wages or salaries in the household.
  2. Gross Monthly Base Income Calculation:
    Gross Monthly Base Income is determined on a prospective basis. The calculation must take into account all earned (including Net Self-Employment, if applicable), and unearned income included in the non-exempt income list. Refer to 01.02.02. 
    1. Collect the two most recent and consecutive pay stubs for each individual included in the family size, earnings of a child under age 21 are exempt (unless that child is the applicant). If the applicant has not been employed long enough to receive two consecutive pay stubs, refer to 01.03.02 for other acceptable income documentation.
    2. Add the gross base wages or salary from the two most recent and consecutive pay stubs submitted. Divide the result by 2.  (Gross Base Wages and Salary = Hourly Rate x Number of Hours Worked)
      A simplified example for a single parent home, paid weekly, w/ one job:
      * Pay Stub #1 Reports 32 hours worked for Pay Period Jan 5 -Jan 9, hourly rate is $9.25
      * Pay Stub #2 Reports 40 hours worked for Pay Period Jan 12- Jan 16, hourly rate is $9.25
      * ($9.25 x 32 = $296.00) + ($9.25 x 40 = $370.00) =Total Gross Base Wages
         and Salary from both Pay Stubs  $666.00
      * $666.00/2 Average Gross Base Wages and Salary = $333.00
      Income received on salary, rather than an hourly wage, is counted at the expected monthly salary rate.
    3. Determine if the individual is paid weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly (twice monthly), or monthly.
    4. Convert the result in 'B' (Average Gross Base Wages and Salary), above to  Monthly Gross Base Wages and Salary.
      1. To convert weekly average into  Monthly Gross Base Wages and Salary, multiply the result by 4.333.
      2. To convert bi-weekly average into  Monthly Gross Base Wages and Salary, multiply the result by 2.1666.
      3. To convert semi-monthly average into  Monthly Gross Base Wages and Salary, multiply the result by 2.
  3. Y-T-D Recurrent Income Received. Count and Average Y-T-D income received from recurrent earnings such overtime, incentives or bonuses if it accounts for 15% or more of Y-T-D Gross Earnings. This method should be used when these earnings do not appear in the Current Period Earnings on both or most of the checks or pay stubs submitted. Use recurrent overtime, incentives, and bonuses that are included in most of the current period earnings as an indicator for counting in Base Wages and Salary.
  4. Add Total Additional Monthly Unearned Income to the  Monthly Gross Base Wages and Salary calculated in 'D' above.
  5. Deduct monthly child support paid out of the family's income. The result will be the family's Combined Gross Monthly Base Income.