In response to a request from the Bureau of the Census, the Food and Nutrition Service has developed a demonstration project to exclude as income the earnings of temporary census employees.  The purpose of this project is to allow the Bureau of Census to more successfully recruit workers for Census 2000. 

Identifying Temporary Census Employees

Use the following procedures to identify temporary census employees.  Most census employees will be paid by the Bureau of the Census.  The pay statements of those employees will have the notation "Census 2000" on the statement.

Some temporary census employees, employed at certain census centers, are paid by the National Finance Center.  Their pay statements may or may not indicate that they are temporary employees.  If a pay statement does not indicate that the employee was hired as a temporary, it will be necessary for the employee to provide a copy of their SF-50 which should indicate that the employee was hired for a period not to exceed 180 days.

If the pay statements of employees hired by private contractors for the census do not indicate that the employee is a temporary employee, it is necessary for the employee to obtain verification of temporary employment from the contractor operating the census capture center.

Some employees hired for Census 2000 commenced employment prior to January 1, 2000.  The income of employees hired prior to January 1, 2000, should be excluded only if they were hired for a period not to exceed 180 days.

Only those census employees who are able to provide documentation indicating that they were appointed for a period not to exceed 180 days, or who are able to provide pay statements indicating that they are employed for Census 2000 qualify for the income exclusion.

Flyer

A flyer is being developed to notify anyone interested of the availability of employment opportunities with the Bureau of the Census.  The flyer also provides information regarding the impact of earnings from temporary employment with Census 2000 for food stamp eligibility.  Post this flyer in the county office and make it available to community groups, etc. for distribution to individuals who could possibly benefit from this opportunity.  Copies of the flyer will be sent in a separate mailing.

Review this memorandum with approriate staff.

 

Disregard any income earned from temporary employment with the Bureau of Census for Census 2000 when determining food stamp eligibility and benefits.

 

Post and distribute flyers when received.