M E M O R A N D U M

IM-163 11/15/00  SSA EARNINGS CHART UPDATE FOR IMMIGRANT 40 QTR. DETEMINATION


SUBJECT:
SSA EARNINGS CHART UPDATE FOR IMMIGRANT 40 QUARTERS DETERMINATION 

FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #29
SECTION 1105.098.20.20
 
DISCUSSION:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Earnings Chart in the Food Stamp Manual has been updated to reflect the amount of earnings needed to credit one qualifying quarter of work for the year 2001.  Use the amount shown for the appropriate year when earnings information is not available from SSA to make an immigrant food stamp eligibility determination based on 40 qualifying quarters of work. 
 
NECESSARY ACTION:
  •  Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.

    •  
  •  Use the updated chart to determine immigrant eligibility based on 40 qualifying quarters of work.

    •  
  •  File the revised manual page in the hard copy of the Food Stamp Manual.
DC/HJK/em
Distribution #3
Attachment below
[ Memorandum Table of Contents ]

1105.098.20.20       SSA Earnings Chart
IM-#163 November 15, 2000

Use the following chart to determine the number of qualifying quarters of earnings that can be credited toward an immigrant's 40 quarters.  The dollar amount indicates the amount of earnings needed to credit one (1) qualifying quarter beginning with 1978.

 1978..........$250     1990..........$520
 1979..........$260     1991..........$540
 1980..........$290     1992..........$570
 1981..........$310     1993..........$590
 1982..........$340     1994..........$620
 1983..........$370     1995..........$630
 1984..........$390     1996..........$640
 1985..........$410     1997..........$670
 1986..........$440     1998..........$700
 1987..........$460     1999..........$740
 1988..........$470     2000..........$780
 1989..........$500     2001..........$830

To determine the number of quarters earned in a specific year, divide the earnings for that year by the dollar amount shown for that year.  For the current year, count the quarter as soon as the individual has earnings in that quarter equal to the amount shown on the chart.  A quarter in which the immigrant received a Federal means-tested public benefit cannot count as a qualifying quarter.

The maximum number of quarters that can be credited in a calendar year is four quarters, regardless of earnings.  Examples of how to calculate quarters are:

EXAMPLE 1:  An immigrant earned $2,090 in 1995.  $2,090      divided by $630 = 3 with $200 remaining.  The individual has 3 qualifying quarters from 1995.  The remainder of $200 is not enough earnings to credit a fourth quarter.

EXAMPLE 2:  An immigrant earned $3,000 in January 1998.  $3,000 divided by $700 = 4 with $200 remaining.  As of February 1998, the individual has 4 qualifying quarters.

EXAMPLE 3:  An immigrant earned $15,000 in 1997.  The individual has 4 qualifying quarters. $15,000 divided by $670 = 22 with $260 remaining, but the individual can be credited with only 4 quarters for the calendar year.

EXAMPLE 4:  An immigrant earned $1,500 during the January, February and March quarter of 1998.  The immigrant received Temporary Assistance for January and February 1998.  The immigrant has zero (0) qualifying quarters from this time period because s/he received a Federal means-tested public benefit during the quarter.
To assign quarters before 1978: