| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | MINIMUM WAGE USED FOR FOOD STAMP METP AND STUDENT ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS |
DISCUSSION:
On January 1, 2007, Missouri's minimum wage was raised to $6.50 per hour. The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify Food Stamp Policy and remind staff that Federal minimum wage remains $5.15 per hour and is used when determining exemption from work registration and student eligibility.
State minimum wage of $6.50 is used to determine suitable employment and good cause for voluntary job quit and work effort reduction.
Exempt from Work Registration
Food stamp applicants or participants who are working 30 hours per week or those who have earnings equal to Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours per week are exempt from food stamp work registration requirements. When a food stamp applicant or participant's wages equal or are greater than $5.15 multiplied by 30 hours, the individual is exempt from food stamp work registration.
Do not use Missouri's minimum wage when determining whether or not a food stamp applicant or participant is exempt from work registration due to employment. Review the Food Stamp Manual Section 1105.025.05.05.
Student Eligibility
EU members who are students in an institution of higher education are eligible students if they are employed and paid for an average of 20 hours per week, or self-employed for an average of 20 hours per week and receive weekly earnings averaging at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours (in-kind income does not qualify as wages). Do not use Missouri's minimum wage when determining student eligibility. Review the Food Stamp Manual Section 1135.025.00.
Suitable Employment/Good Cause
Use the State minimum wage of $6.50 per hour when determining whether or not employment is suitable employment for a food stamp applicant or participant who voluntarily quit a job, voluntarily reduced the number of hours worked to less than 30 hours per week, and when determining whether or not an EU member has good cause. If the employment offered pays less than $6.50 per hour, it is not considered suitable. Review the Food Stamp Manual Sections 1105.025.35.05 and 1105.025.40.
The Food Stamp Manual is revised to clarify the minimum wage used when determining whether or not employment is suitable.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.