| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | MINIMUM WAGE USED TO DETERMINE VOLUNTARY JOB QUIT AND WORK EFFORT REDUCTION FOR FOOD STAMPS FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #38 |
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce a change to the exemption policy for food stamp participants who voluntarily reduce the number of hours worked to less than 30 hours per week and to add clarification to policy of the minimum wage used when determining whether or not a voluntary job quit and work effort reduction has occurred.
Minimum Wage and Voluntary Job Quit
Section 1105.025.30.30 is revised to clarify the minimum wage used when determining whether or not a voluntary job quit has occurred. Voluntary job quit provisions and sanctioning policies apply to all EU members. If any EU member voluntarily and without good cause quits a job that was 30 or more hours per week or where the earnings were equal to or more than 30 hours per week times Federal minimum wage, that individual is subject to sanctioning.
Work Effort Reduction
Current policy states if the individual who voluntarily reduced the number of hours worked earns an amount equal to minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours per week, s/he is exempt from work registration. Effective immediately, if the individual who voluntarily reduced the number of hours worked earns weekly wages that exceed the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours, the individual remains exempt from work registration.
When evaluating work effort reduction, always take into consideration variances in the number of hours worked or in the weekly minimum wage equivalent. It may be necessary to evaluate the number of hours worked over a period of time to determine if the individual is working an average of 30 hours or more per week or earning wages that exceed the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.