DHCS issued guidance to counties regarding how to treat fluctuating or self-employment income and how to use projected annual income in MAGI determinations in CalHEERS. The letter notes that IRS rules for net income from self-employment activities are different from non-MAGI rules; IRS deductions are broader than those allowed for non-MAGI programs.
For projected annual income, counties can take an average to determine monthly income. If income fluctuates monthly, the single streamlined application uses projected annual income. If the individual’s current monthly income is lower than the projected annual income, counties should use the current monthly income. CalHEERS is expected to be fixed in March 2015 to address this situation. DHCS ACWDL 15-06 (1/21/15).