The United States Department of Agriculture recently began approving waivers for areas that have an unemployment rate in excess of 20% of the national average for a recent two-year period.  The counties listed above meet this criterion.

Impact on Newly Waived Counties

Individuals residing in the newly waived counties who were denied food stamp benefits because they did not meet the 18 to 50 year old work requirement are eligible as of August 1, 2001.  At any contact with a household that has a member subject to the 18 to 50 year old work requirement, redetermine the eligibility of that member and take appropriate action.  Take action at recertification to determine if members denied benefits due to the 18 to 50 year old work requirement are now eligible.  Individuals rejected due to not meeting the 18 to 50 year old work requirement can receive food stamps if they meet all other eligibility requirements.

FTWR Entries

Remove August 2001 and later months from FTWR if entered as non-work months for individuals who resided in a waived county during these months.  When making entries into FTWR, do not enter non-work months for any month in which an individual subject to the 18 to 50 year old work requirement resided in a waived area.

FTWR will allow waiver code 41 for Carter, Clark, Crawford, Dunklin, Miller, Montgomery, Ozark, Reynolds, Shannon, and Shelby Counties. 

18 to 50 Year Old Work Requirement Flyer

Attached to the hard copy of this memorandum is a flyer listing the counties waived as of August 2001.  Make this flyer available to community groups, local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, etc for distribution to individuals that may be affected by the waiver.

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

• Provide the flyer to community groups in the area,  local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, etc.