Change in income

When there is a change in a client’s income, review their Accommodation Supplement to make sure they still meet the qualifications and are getting the correct rate of payment.

Income for non-beneficiaries must be charged against the Accommodation Supplement in the week(s) the income is earned or represents.

Information share Child Support payments are treated differently as they are automatically charged forward as income for a period of 4 or 5 weeks.

For more information see:

When a client has variable income, (for example wages for a client who works different hours each week) the income is charged for the week the income was earned.

If the client is unsure of the exact amount of income they will earn, they need to provide an estimate of their income. This will help to reduce the risk of a debt being established for the client.

If a client's actual income differs from the estimate given, they must tell MSD the correct amount and their rate of benefit needs to be reviewed.

The correct amount of income must still be charged for the week the income was earned. 

Note the automated income charging rules still apply to information share Child Support payments, even if their Child Support income varies.