When counselling, I always conduct a Requisite Income Assessment. It is necessary to establish this information as a baseline. Clients will readily comment on the adequacy of their existing income. In many cases they have come to you to deal with the fact that their existing jobs fail to provide adequate wages and hours. It is not prying into the client's personal life to ask questions regarding assets.
Net worth is a key economic indicator.
List all assets whether or not they are paid for. Do not include leased items - they belong to the leasing firm. Net worth represents the difference between assets and liabilities. It is necessary to explore with the client the costs of meeting essential monthly expenses. Not only does this provide a measure of the income necessary to permit the client to live comfortably, it might also reveal areas of overspending associated with affiliated social problems.