Unemployment Compensation (UC)

Defining Unemployment Compensation Types

Regular Unemployment (UI)

This is the traditional unemployment benefits program for people who work for an employer and have earned at least $5,400 in the past year. Staff are able to view this unemployment income on the Employment Modernization and Transformation (EMT) system and are to follow existing procedures on how to enter this income. Regular UI clients will be identified in the Account Type column in the Claim Accounts tab in the Benefits section of the claimant’s EMT profile. It will be displayed as UI Claim.

Section 30

This is a type of unemployment benefit for certain claimants who are enrolled in a full-time, approved training program. These claimants collect regular unemployment compensation while enrolled in their training program. Section 30 clients will be identified in the Account Type column in the Claim Accounts tab in the Benefits section of the claimant’s EMT profile. It will be displayed as Section 30.

Retraining Extended Duration (RED)

Extended benefits for unemployment recipients who seek additional benefits due to professional training opportunities. These benefits are an extension of Section 30 unemployment benefits. RED clients will be identified in the “Account Type” column in the Claim Accounts tab in the Benefits section of the claimant’s EMT profile. It will be displayed as RED.

Trade Readjustment Act (TRA)

If a company is downsizing and needs to lay off some of their employees as a result of foreign trade, employers can provide their employees with the means to attain competitive and marketable skills for the increasing competitive work environment. Employees are eligible for unemployment benefits as long as they are participating in the trainings.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DA)

If a federal Major Disaster Declaration is awarded to an effected area, clients can receive unemployment benefits and re-employment services if they have become unemployed as a result of a major disaster and are not eligible for regular State unemployment assistance.

High Unemployment Period Extended Benefits (HUP EB)

These unemployment benefits are available for certain eligible regular unemployment claimants who have exhausted all rights to regular UI under Massachusetts law.

Accessing Client Information in EMT

To determine and verify a client’s active or terminated UI income, you must access the Employment Modernization and Transformation (EMT) system and search for their case. To do this:

  1. log into EMT: https://emt.eol.mass.gov/MWP/SSO/
    1. click “Logon With Single Sign-On”
    2. sign in using your mass.gov email address and your active directory password
  2. from the New Manager window access the Search manager View/HideView/Hide


  3. click on the Claimant Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Verification hyperlink. A window will display for you to choose how you would like to search.
  4. use the ID Type drop-down field to search by either Social Security Number or Claimant ID View/HideView/Hide

  5. enter the Social Security Number or Claimant Id into the appropriate field and then click the Search hyperlink View/HideView/Hide


  6. the results of the search will now be displayed

You will now be able to view the following information for the claimant:

  1. Claimant panel: includes the claimants’ full legal name and home address.
  2. Claim panel: displays claim history such as claim status, benefit begin and end dates, maximum benefit amount, benefits remaining, weekly benefit amount, weeks allowed, and weeks remaining for each claim. View/HideView/Hide


Note: The values for benefits remaining will update as benefits are claimed.

  1. Weeks panel: a summary of each week the claimant filed. On this panel, you can view the status of the week (e.g., whether it was paid, excess earnings were reported, etc.), the benefit amount, reported earnings, any adjustments (e.g., if the payment was reduced for waiting week, earnings, etc.), intercept amounts (typically for tax or child support withholdings), and the actual payment they received, including the date it was received.
  2. Applies To column: helps staff differentiate between current and historic claims when the client has more than one claim on file.
  3. Earnings panel: any reported earnings, the related week, and the employer the earnings were from. View/HideView/Hide


  4. Transactions panel: lists all financial impacts such as state or federal tax withholdings, child support, and all other interception types.
  5. Filter icon: Used to display a green filter field
  6. Green Filter field: used to narrow the information down. For example, you can filter to make transactions visible for a specific week. View/HideView/Hide


  7. Employment panel: displays employers included on the client’s claims
  8. Start Date: helps you determine start date of claim the employment applies to
  9. Last Day: helps you determine last day of claim the employment applies View/HideView/Hide


Sorting Panel Data

All unemployment claims and their data will be displayed when a claimant is searched. In order view the most recent claims data, staff must hover over the applicable column header and click to sort in ascending or descending order.

Example: In the screenshot below, to view the most current week, scroll to the Weeks panel and click the highlighted Week column. This will sort the weeks in descending order (most recent weeks will appear first). Sorting can be applied to any column. View/HideView/Hide



When no Claimant is Found

There may be times when a client reports unemployment income, but no record is found in the EMT system. View/HideView/Hide


In this situation you must:

  1. verify that you have entered the client’s correct Social Security Number or Claimant ID
  2. if the information entered is correct yet no claim is generated; issue a VC-1 for proof of Unemployment Income.

Processing Unemployment Compensation for SNAP and TAFDC

Entering Unemployment Income in BEACON

When entering unemployment income, you must enter the income in BEACON based on the date in the Received column on the Weeks panel. This is the actual date the client received the income, not when the client requested the claim be paid to them. View/Hide View/Hide


For example: In the screenshot above, you must use the date from the highlighted Received column for the applicable week.

Benefit Amount

When entering unemployment income, the weekly benefit amount found in the Benefit column on the Weeks panel must always be used. This benefit amount represents the client’s pre-taxed benefit. View/HideView/Hide

For example: The screenshot above confirms that the client receives $712 as their weekly Benefit (pre-taxed amount). The amount in the highlighted Benefit column for the applicable week is the benefit that must be used in BEACON.

However, there are times when clients may have additions and/or deductions included in their unemployment amounts.

Important: If a client is determined eligible for UC, they are not eligible for EAEDC.

When There Are Additions to the Client’s Unemployment Compensation Amount

Clients may be eligible for additional income that is included in their weekly Benefit amount, such as a dependency allowance. Additions are already added to the client’s benefit amount. You must enter the entire Benefit amount in BEACON, as this represents the total gross payment the claimant receives.

Dependency Allowance

When processing cases with unemployment income, it is important to review the claim for a dependency allowance. A dependency allowance may be given to eligible claimants who prove they have one or more dependents under the age of 18. The claimant can receive a dependency allowance of $25 per child, per week (up to a cap).

The dependency allowance is considered countable income and is included as part of the claimant’s gross unemployment income.

To determine if a client is receiving a dependency allowance, staff must visit the Transactions panel. There, staff will find a transaction type of Dependent Credit if the allowance has been given. View/HideView/Hide


For example: The screenshot above confirms that the client received an additional $25 Dependent Credit. This will be added to the clients base benefit amount  will be automatically reflected in the Benefit column on the Weeks panel.

Important: To avoid overpayments, is crucial that staff review the Transactions panel for additions that would increase the base Benefit Credit payment.

When There are Deductions or Intercepts in the Client’s Unemployment Compensation Amount

For most types of unemployment income on EMT, a user is able to view the addition and/or deduction details on the Transactions panel and can determine the weekly gross unemployment benefit amount.

Clients also have the option to authorize deductions from their weekly unemployment compensation. This can include child support expenses, taxes, and if the client is subject to an intentional or unintentional overpayment that must be repaid.

Important:
For TAFDC, child support expenses are the only allowable deduction.
For SNAP, child support expenses and intentional/unintentional overpayments are the only allowable deductions.

Child Support

If the deduction on EMT is indicated as a child support expense, you must enter in the Pre-Tax Authorized Amount in BEACON and enter in the amount of the child support expense deduction in the Support Expenses window in the workflow. DTA has confirmed that DUA only deducts child support expenses if the client previously verified the legal obligation. You must also ask the client the name(s) of the child(ren) for whom the child support is paid. A verbal self-declaration is sufficient followed by a narrative entry. If a (child) is included in the SNAP household of the parent paying child support for that child, the deduction cannot be applied as this income would be countable to the child(ren) for whom it is paid. No additional verification from the client is needed. For more information about entering child support expenses in BEACON, please review Entering Child Support Expenses Data.

To determine if a client is having child support expenses deducted from a UI payment, visit the Transactions panel where the details of all withholdings of any type are listed. Child support deductions will say “Child Support Intercept” or “Out of State Child Support Intercept”. These are allowable deductions for both TAFDC and SNAP.

Overpayments

If the deduction is due to an intentional/unintentional overpayment, you must disregard the overpayment amount and count the net unemployment income amount. No additional verification is needed from the client. If the client has verified both a child support expense deduction and an overpayment deduction, you must subtract the overpayment amount from the Benefit (pre-taxed) amount and enter the difference in BEACON as the UC amount. Then, you must enter in the amount of the child support expense deduction in the Support Expenses window in the workflow.

To determine if a client is having overpayment recoupments deducted from a UI payment, visit the Transactions panel where the details of all withholdings of any type are listed. Overpayment deductions will say “Fraud Denial Deduction” or “Overpayment Deduction”. These are allowable deductions only for SNAP.

Important: To avoid payment errors, is crucial that staff review the Transactions panel for allowable SNAP and/or TAFDC deductions.

Terminated Unemployment Compensation at Application – SNAP

If a client is applying for SNAP and was previously receiving unemployment compensation and it has been ended, you must count any terminated unemployment compensation that falls within the client’s initial cyclical month by verifying the amounts and payment dates displayed on EMT. You must enter and calculate all terminated income as monthly in BEACON.

You must create a follow-up action the next day to remove the terminated income from being counted in the ongoing calculation of SNAP benefits.

Remember: Terminated income is no longer countable at Recertification or Case Maintenance.

Terminated Unemployment Compensation at Application – TAFDC

If a client is applying for TAFDC and was previously receiving unemployment compensation and it has been ended, you must not count any terminated income. The case manager must end the income in BEACON and move the effective date of the application to the date after the last unemployment compensation payment was received.

Reported Earnings

At times, a client may have Reported Earnings listed in their unemployment claim. Claimants are entitled to a disregard of their portion of their gross earnings. You must not use the Reported Earnings for proof of earned income. However, you must explore with the client if they are working. For more information on how to handle unemployment scenarios with Reported Earnings, see Simplified Reporting Examples.

Important: The Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Match/data source is used to verify unemployment insurance claims, and, in limited circumstances, job terminations. The DUA Match does not verify wages or earned income.

Processing Unemployment Compensation Matches or Client Reports Unemployment Compensation Has Ended

There will be times when an employer name is listed in EMT when a client’s UC has changed. This is considered significantly conflicting information and must be acted on according to the client’s certification type as outlined below:

Simplified Reporting/Former EDSAP

If the household is on Simplified Reporting or Former EDSAP, and the new wage information when added to the existing income puts the household over 200% of the FPL (if subject to an FPL, meaning no elderly or federally certified as disabled household member), you must:

  • perform two cold calls to the client to confirm the wage information.

If the client answers and confirms they are working

  • check The Work Number to confirm the job listed on EMT and for any other active wages.
    • If the wages found in The Work Number match the income reported by the client, enter wages from The Work Number, and recalculate benefits.
    • If the wages from EMT are not found in The Work Number or the wages from EMT are found in The Work Number but the client disputes the wages, issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages.

If the client does not answer, you must

  • issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages.
  • enter a detailed narrative about the steps taken.

EDSAP

If any wages are found on EMT for an EDSAP household, you must:

  • perform two cold calls to the client to confirm the wage information.

If the client answers and confirms they are working

  • check The Work Number for active wages.
    • If the wages found in The Work Number match the income reported by the client, enter the wages from The Work Number, and recalculate the benefits.
    • If the wages from EMT are not found in The Work Number or the wages from EMT are found in The Work Number but the client disputes the wages, issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages.

If the client does not answer, you must

  • issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages.
  • enter a narrative detailing the steps taken.

Recertification (Change Reporting Households)

If the wages displayed on EMT is new income not previously listed in BEACON, or the income is known but has changed by more than $100, you must:

  • perform two cold calls to the client to confirm the wage information.

If the client answers and confirms they are working

  • check The Work Number to confirm the job listed on EMT and for any other active wages.
    • If the wages found on The Work Number match the income reported by the client, enter wages from The Work Number, and recalculate benefits.
    • If the wages from EMT are not found in The Work Number or the wages from EMT are found in The Work Number but the client disputes the wages, issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages.

If the cold calls are not successful,

  • issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages.
  • enter a narrative detailing the steps taken.

Important: Staff must be mindful not to make contact if the wages would not be countable based on the household member’s role. For example, if it is an ineligible non-liable TAFDC caregiver whose wages are not countable, or a high school student under 18 years old for whom we have school verification and the wages would not be countable for the SNAP case they are a part of.

Ended UC & Determining if Net Income Reduced to Zero

There are times when a client’s unemployment claim will be inactive, ended in BEACON by staff, and wrapped with a net income reducing to zero. A related benefit must NOT be automatically issued on these cases. The action taken in regard to a related benefit will vary based on the below scenarios.

Unemployment Compensation PI Checklist Match

When a client’s unemployment income ends and their net income reduces to zero, a related benefit must not be issued automatically. This is to ensure that clients are not overpaid SNAP benefits.

After removing the unemployment income from BEACON, due to a Review PI Match action, no related benefit is to be issued even when net income is reduced to zero. You must:

  • check The Work Number to see if the client has any wages now that they are no longer in receipt of UC.
    • If there are no wages available in The Work Number, no further action is required.
    • If there is an active Work Number match with wages received within the last 30 days, you must:
      • perform two cold calls to the client to confirm the wage information.
      • if the client answers and confirms they are working, you are to review the wages available in The Work Number and if the client confirms they are accurate, they are to be used and SNAP benefits recalculated.
      • if the client disputes the data, a mandatory VC-1 must be sent for verification of wages.
      • if the cold calls are not successful, a mandatory VC-1 must be sent for verification of wages.
  • enter a narrative detailing the steps taken.

Example 1Example 1Amanda (she/her) pulls an action to Review PI Checklist and finds a DUA match. She checks EMT and finds that the client’s UC has ended. Amanada queries The Work Number and confirms finds that there is an active employment with wages received within the last 30 days. She makes 2 cold call attempts that are unsuccessful. She ends the UC in BEACON and sends a mandatory VC-1 for the wages in The Work Number. She enters a detailed narrative of the action taken on the case and ends the action.

Example 2Example 2Adam (he/him) pulls an action to Review PI Checklist and finds a DUA match. He checks EMT and finds that the client’s UC has ended. Adam queries The Work Number and confirms that there are no active wages. He ends the UC in BEACON and wraps the case. He checks the EBC results and notices that the client has a net income of zero. Adam authorizes the wrap up, enters a detailed narrative of the action taken on the case and ends the action. 

Determining if a Related Benefit is Due When a UC Match Ends

If the client contacts the Department within 60 days of the Department removing their UC income and reports previous failed attempts to reach DTA to report that UC had ended, a  related benefit must be issued IF it is confirmed that the client’s net income was reduced to zero when UC ended. To confirm that net income was reduced to zero, you must:

  • ask the client if they have any additional income that DTA does not have on file.
    • If the client reports they have an employment that is not in The Work Number, you must issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages and not issue a related benefit. Once verification is received, the worker must determine if a related benefit is owed due to net income being at zero.
    • check databases to confirm that the client has no income. This includes EMT, Work Number, and RAPID (if applicable, i.e., the client has minor or adult children in the household, or the client previously reported receiving child support arrearage payments).
    • if no income is found on the databases and the client does not report having any income that would cause their net income to be greater than zero, no additional proof is needed. You must issue a related benefit to the client back to the month when the UC ended.
    • if income is found on any of the databases, confirm the income with the client.
      • If client agrees, enter the wages and wrap the case.
      • If the client disputes wages, you must issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages and not issue a related benefit. When verification is received, the worker must determine if a related benefit is owed due to net income being at zero.
  • enter a detailed narrative about the steps taken.

ExampleExampleKendra (she/her) contacts DTA to find out why her SNAP benefits will not increase until next month. She reports that her UC ended two months ago and she called DTA multiple times but was unable to get through the Assistance Line. When the FAW reviews the case, they see that Kendra’s UC was recently ended by another FAW due to a PI Checklist action. Kendra denies having any source of income at this time. The FAW checks all applicable external databases and verifies that there are no other income sources. Kendra issues a retroactive related benefit back to the month in which her UC ended.  

Client Contacts DTA to Report That Unemployment Compensation Ended

If a client contacts the Department (in-person, telephonically, or via EDMC) to report that their UC has ended before DTA receives the UC Match, staff must follow the steps below to determine if the client’s net income has been reduced to zero. To confirm that net income was reduced to zero, you must:

  • ask the client if they have any additional income that DTA does not have on file.
    • If the client reports they have an employment that is not in The Work Number, you must issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages and not issue a related benefit. Once verification is received, the worker must determine if a related benefit is owed due to net income being at zero.
  • check databases to confirm that the client has no income. This includes EMT, Work Number, and RAPID (if applicable, i.e., the client has minor or adult children in the household, or the client previously reported receiving child support arrearage payments).
  • if no income is found on the databases and the client does not report having any income that would cause their net income to be greater than zero, no additional proof is needed. You must issue a related benefit to the client back to the month when the UC ended.
  • if income is found on any of the databases, confirm the income with the client.
    • If client agrees, enter the wages and wrap the case.
    • If the client disputes wages, you must issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages and not issue a related benefit. When verification is received, the worker must determine if a related benefit is owed due to net income being at zero.
  • enter a detailed narrative about the steps taken.

If a client submits verification of ended UC through EDMC, staff must follow the steps below to determine if the client’s net income has reduced to zero. To confirm that net income was reduced to zero, you must:

  • perform two cold calls.
  • if the client answers, ask the client if they have any additional income that DTA does not have on file.
    • If the client reports they have an employment that is not in The Work Number, you must issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages and not issue a related benefit. Once verification is received, the worker must determine if a related benefit is owed due to net income being at zero.
  • check databases to confirm that the client has no income. This includes EMT, Work Number, and RAPID (if applicable, i.e., the client has minor or adult children in the household, or the client previously reported receiving child support arrearage payments).
  • if no income is found on the databases and the client does not report having any income that would cause their net income to be greater than zero, no additional proof is needed. You must issue a related benefit to the client back to the month when the UC ended.
  • if income is found on any of the databases, confirm the income with the client.
    • If client agrees, enter the wages and wrap the case.
    • If the client disputes wages, you must issue a mandatory VC-1 for wages and not issue a related benefit. When verification is received, the worker must determine if a related benefit is owed due to net income being at zero.
  • if the client does not answer, you must not issue a related benefit.
  • enter a detailed narrative about the steps taken.

Example 1Example 1Telephonic report for ended UC: Riley (they/them) answers a client call while in the Phone Queue. The client reports that their unemployment claim has been exhausted. Riley signs into EMT to confirm that the claim has been exhausted. They then ask the client if they have any current sources of income now that the claim has ended. The client reports that they are still seeking employment and that they have no income at this time. The worker asks the client if they have any children, as there are no children listed in the SNAP household, the client confirms that they do not. Riley ends the UC income in BEACON and checks all applicable external databases (i.e, EMT and The Work Number. The worker does not need to check child support via RAPID because the client has no children). Riley finds no active income sources. They proceed to wrap the case and notice the EBC Calc shows a net income of zero. Riley issues a retroactive related benefit back to the month in which her UC ended. 

Example 2Example 2Client at TAO to report ended UC: Jody (she/her) goes into her local DTA office to report that her unemployment ended two months ago and she has been unable to find work. She reports that her calls to the Assistance Line have been unsuccessful. When the assigned FAW reviews Jody’s case, they notice that she has an outstanding PI Checklist match that has not been acted on due to a backlog. FAW checks all applicable external databases (EMT, The Work Number, child support via RAPID (Jody has adult children in the home for whom she could be receiving arrears payments) and finds no active income sources. FAW issues a retroactive related benefit back to the month in which her UC ended.  

Example 3Example 3Client submits verification or note about ended UC through EDMC: Candace (she/her) uploads a note to her electronic case file stating that her unemployment has ended and she wants to have her case updated. During a processing action a FAW pulls the action to Process the Scanned Document. The worker checks EMT and confirms that Candace’s UC benefits have ended, and ends the UC record in BEACON. Based on the BEACON record, Candace now has a net income of zero. The FAW cold calls Candace, who answers the call. The FAW checks all applicable external databases (EMT, Work Number, and child support via RAPID, as she has minor children in the SNAP household). The FAW finds an active Work Number Match. FAW reviews the wages in The Work Number with the Candace. She confirms that the wages are correct. The FAW enters the wages on BEACON and wraps the case. The net income is not zero. No related benefits are owed. 

Example 4Example 4Client submits verification or note about ended UC through EDMC: Sandra (she/her) uploads a printout from DUA that her unemployment has ended, and she wants to have her case updated. During a processing action a FAW pulls the action to Process the Scanned Document. The worker checks EMT and confirms that Sandra’s UC benefits have ended and ends the UC record in BEACON. Based on the BEACON record, Sandra now has a net income of zero. The FAW cold calls Sandra, but the calls are unsuccessful. No related benefits are owed because we cannot determine if the client’s net income was reduced to zero. 

For more information on issuing related benefits, see Related Benefit.

For more information on when net income reduces to zero, see Department Responsibility to Take Timely Action.

Standard Unemployment Income Scenarios

Scenario 1: Client Reports Receiving Unemployment Compensation

At Application, Recertification, and Reevaluation

SNAP and TAFDC: You must enter the Pre-Tax Authorized amount that is reported on EMT. Be sure to check for any acceptable deductions.

For Ongoing Cases (Case Maintenance)

TAFDC only: You must enter the Pre-Tax Authorized amount that is reported on EMT. Be sure to check for any acceptable deductions and process the case.

SNAP only: If the client verbally reports their unemployment income, you must determine if the income will put the case over the income limit for the household size by asking the client what their weekly gross unemployment amount is.

If the unemployment income will not put the household over, you must not count the income due to Simplified Reporting rules. Do not check EMT. Make sure to write a detailed narrative.

If the income will put the household over their income limit, you must check EMT and enter the income in BEACON for the case to be denied appropriately. Be sure to write a detailed narrative.

If the client provides documentation of the unemployment (i.e. the benefit award letter or some other document from DUA) regardless of the amount, you must review EMT and enter the income as it would be considered verified upon receipt.

Scenario 2: DTA Receives a PI UC Match

At Application, Recertification, and Reevaluation

SNAP and TAFDC: You must enter the income that is reported on EMT. Be sure to check for any allowable deductions.

For Ongoing Cases (Case Maintenance)

SNAP and TAFDC: You must enter the income that is reported on EMT as it is verified upon receipt. Be sure to check for any acceptable deductions.

Scenario 3: Client is Receiving Partial Regular UC and is not Receiving UC Income some Weeks as Wages Exceed Benefit Rate

At Application, Recertification, and Reevaluation

SNAP and TAFDC: You must review the unemployment income on EMT. If the Current Week Status column indicates Not Paid with a reason of Exceeded Benefit Rate, the client did not receive their unemployment income for that week. You must enter $0 in BEACON for that week.

You must review EMT and enter the unemployment income shown there. Earnings must also be entered. If the client reports earnings and the wages are available in the Work Number, you must enter the wages from the Work Number.

If the Work Number does not have the wage information for the client’s job, you must cold call the client two times. If the client states they are no longer working, the client can provide a telephonic self-declaration stating their employer name, the last day worked, and the last day paid. If the client does not answer send a mandatory VC-1 for the client’s wages.

TAFDC only: If the client does not answer, you must send a mandatory user-entered VC-1 for Additional Verification entering in the Details field: “Wage Information”. In the Document(s) of evidence field enter:

“You indicated that (household member name) had no earned income. Our data sources show they may be receiving earned income. Please provide proof of your last 4 weeks of earnings by sending the Department wage stubs, screenshots of your gross income, or a letter from your employer showing your weekly gross amount and number of hours. If you are no longer working, proof of termination.”

If the client cannot verify wages using documentary evidence, we will accept the best available information including a written self-declaration, for both programs.

For SNAP and TAFDC: Once verification is obtained, you must enter both the wages and unemployment income. The prospected wages and unemployment income may include $0 for the weeks the client did not receive wages or unemployment income. If the client provides proof of termination, the wages must not be included.

For Ongoing Cases (Case Maintenance)

TAFDC only: If the client reports that their regular unemployment income has decreased due to earnings, you must explore with the client which weeks they did not get paid. You must request verification of wages and once received, update and recalculate the income in BEACON.

SNAP only: During the certification period, if the client verbally reports that their unemployment income has changed due to receiving partial earnings, you must explore with the client if their total income has increased or decreased. If their unemployment income has decreased due to earnings or vice versa, you must make sure that the total income the client is receiving from their earnings and unemployment income will not put them over the income limit for their household size. If the income will put the household over income, you must send a mandatory VC-1 for their earnings and enter the unemployment information as it is displayed on EMT. If the unemployment income and earnings will not put the client over the gross income limit for their household size, you must tell the client that they do not have to report the change in income until their next reporting period, or if their total income has decreased, they can submit verification of their unemployment and earnings for a higher SNAP benefit amount.

If staff receive a PI Checklist for an Unemployment Compensation match and it is determined that the client is receiving partial unemployment income due to earnings, you must update the case with the unemployment income as it appears on EMT, as this information is verified upon receipt. Leave any existing wages in BEACON and process the case. You must enter a narrative detailing that earned income must be verified at their next reporting period. If the case would be denied for excess income based on unemployment and previously reported wages, you must issue a mandatory VC-1 for wage verification.

Related Topics

Other Income Policy and Procedures – SNAP

Last Update: February 10, 2026