IM-81 September 21, 2023; IM-129 September 29, 2022; IM-102 October 1, 2021; IM-144 October 1, 2020; IM-149 September 27, 2019; IM-117 September 8, 2017; IM-60 September 14, 2016; IM-89 September 23, 2015; IM-47 September 10, 2014; IM-51 September 2, 2011
The household’s verified earned income, unearned income, and resources on the day prior to the strike are used to determine striker eligibility. To determine the household’s pre-strike eligibility, go to the Worker Initiated Budget Calculation Area (WIBCA) screen in the eligibility system (see WIBCA user guide) and complete a striker budget including the entire household’s:
- earned income (including the striker’s earnings on the day prior to the strike),
- unearned income, and
- expenses.
Review the WIBCA Budget screen. The WIBCA Budget screen shows PASS if the household is eligible based on pre-strike income and FAIL if ineligible.
Note: The budget information is not returned to the Striker Information screen. Write down the gross monthly earned income and gross monthly unearned income and enter the income amounts in the appropriate fields on the Striker Information screen.
Example: Mary Jones applied for SNAP for herself, her husband John, and their two children (age 12 and 13 years) on December 11. Mary was laid off from her job and John’s hours were reduced to 20 hours per week.
The employees at John’s place of employment went on strike December 9. The household’s situation as it was on December 8 is evaluated to determine eligibility. Verification John was earning $150 per week on December 8 is provided. Mary was receiving $175 per week unemployment compensation.
A striker budget is completed on the Worker Initiated Budget Calculation Area screen for four persons by entering $649.95 ($150 x 4.333) monthly earned income for John and $758.27 ($175 x 4.333) unearned income for Mary.
The Jones rent is $350 per month and they also pay a monthly heating/cooling expense. The rent along with the SUA amount is entered in the Shelter expense field. The Joneses have no other expenses. The WIBCA Budget screen shows the Joneses PASS the pre-strike income eligibility test.
Mary meets the income eligibility test on the day prior to the strike. However, the household had resources over the resource limit on December 8 (see 1110.005.00 Maximum Resources Allowed for more information about SNAP resource limits). The household is ineligible to participate for the duration of the strike, even if their resources drop below the resource limit at some time during the strike. The resources are entered on the Net Pre-strike Resources field on the Striker Information screen and IR (INELIGIBLE ON RESOURCES) in the Pre-strike Eligibility Determination field. The eligibility system fails the household on striker resources.
Eligibility is determined by comparing the striking household member’s income before the strike to the striker’s current income. If the striker is, or will be, receiving striker benefits, complete a second WIBCA including the:
- striker benefits,
- earned income belonging to non-striking household members,
- any other unearned income, and
- expenses.
Compare the two budgets. The higher income source is used to determine ongoing SNAP eligibility and benefit amount.
When the striker’s earnings on the day prior to the strike are greater than striker benefits:
- Enter the striker’s earned income on the Income and Income Amount screens.
- Do not enter the striker benefits on the Income and Income Amount screens.
When the striker’s striker benefits are greater than the striker’s earnings on the day before the strike began:
- Enter the striker benefits as unearned income on the Income and Income Amount screens.
- Do not enter the striker’s pre-strike earnings on the Income and Income Amount screens.
When the household fails the pre-strike income eligibility determination, enter Pre-strike Elig Determination code II (ineligible on income) on the Striker Information screen. The eligibility system fails the household for STRIKER. The household remains ineligible for the duration of the strike.