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Glossary

Income verification

Proof that you show to a benefit program about how much money you earn or receive.

When you apply for benefits, the program asks you to verify (prove) your income. This helps the program decide if you qualify and how much help you can get.

Income verification usually means showing pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or letters from your employer or benefits provider. Some programs also accept a self-signed statement if you don't have official documents.

Income limits matter for many programs. For example, SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) checks both your gross income (before deductions) and net income (after deductions). Medicaid, WIC (Women, Infants & Children), child care assistance, and housing programs all have income limits too.

If your income changes, tell the program right away. Many programs will ask you to verify your income again if it looks different from what you reported before.