How is USDA Loan Income Calculated?

[Tom Conant]

My income increased by about 50% with my new job and I am barely over the income limit to qualify for a USDA loan with my current Salary.

Technically I'm still below it, but in February I will receive a 5% raise which will put me above the upper limit.

How will my income be calculated for qualification purposes?  Will my most recent pay stub be projected outward, or will prior W-2's be used (last year's, for example, is about $25k below the limit, and the one before that even lower).

If W-2's are used I could still qualify.

Could someone help shed some light on this for me?  I've been looking on my own but haven't found anyone address the issue of a recent and large pay salary increase.