3220 Food Assistance Work Related Exemptions

 

The following exemptions apply to food assistance households.

 

  1. A person who is employed or self-employed and working a minimum of 30 hours weekly or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours. This includes in-kind work or working 30 hours a week but earning less than Federal minimum wage times 30 hours. When determining if the amount of self-employment is equal to 30 hours a week times minimum wage, use the adjusted gross self-employment income (after income producing costs or the flat 25% deduction.) This shall include migrant and seasonal farm workers who are under contract or similar agreement with an employer or crew chief to begin employment within 30 days. This also includes ACTION/VISTA volunteers who are working a minimum of 30 hours weekly or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 even if the income is exempt per 6410.

    To find the current minimum wage click this link, Minimum Wage | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov) , then scroll down and click on "What is the Minimum Wage?"
       

  2. A person who is physically or mentally unfit for work. This shall include all persons who meet MediKan disability provisions or are determined disabled according to Social Security Administration standards. This also includes persons who self-declare their disability on the ES-3900. If approved for presumptive disability as either Tier 1 or MediKan, the exemption continues until a final Social Security determination is made. If the person fails to meet Tier 1 or MediKan qualifications, exempt status shall end. Since this is not a change that is required to be reported per 3220.1, the person will become non-exempt at the time of the next review. A person who is found ineligible for Social Security may be exempt from work registration under the exemption for being “physically or mentally unfit for work.”


    NOTE: Determine a person’s “fitness” for employment using the prudent-person principle or any reasonable evidence that supports your decision. The person’s condition does not need to be permanent for a determination of “unfitness” to be made. Your own observation of the person or information obtained during the interview with the person is a sufficient basis to make a determination as to a person’s fitness for employment. If it is not evident to you that a person has a mental or physical limitation that would make the person unfit for employment, verification may be required. Appropriate verification may consist of a statement from a physician or licensed or certified psychologist. When your judgment is the only basis for determining that a person is not “fit” for employment, you must document it as such in the person’s case record.

    In addition, if an individual is a TANF applicant or recipient and claiming a disability this would also exempt the individual from TANF work program requirements. Career Navigators will work with this individual to identify the ability to work.
     

  3. A parent or other caretaker personally providing care for a child under the age of six. Only one caretaker in a case may be exempt for providing care for a child under age six.
     

  4. A person subject to and complying with TANF work requirements. (NOTE: Even though exempt from food assistance work requirements, the person is still subject to the comparable treatment for disqualifications provisions of 2550.)
     

  5. A person receiving unemployment compensation. A person who has applied for, but is not yet receiving unemployment compensation is also exempt if the person is complying with work requirements that are part of the unemployment compensation application process.
     

  6. A regular participant in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program.
     

  7. A student enrolled at least half-time in any recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education. (NOTE: Students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education must meet the eligibility criteria of 2531.)

    A student will remain exempt during normal periods of class attendance, vacation and recess.
     

  8. A person who is age 60 or over. For purposes of this provision, the person becomes exempt the month he or she turns age 60.


  9. A person who is aged 16 or younger or who is aged 16-18 who is a non-head-of-household member, and working toward attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

  10. Women who are Pregnant.

 

NOTE: The comparable disqualification provisions of 2550 apply to persons who fail to comply with a TANF work-related requirement but who are exempt from food assistance work-related requirements per any of the above exemptions.

 

3220.1 Food Assistance Loss of Exempt Status - An ABAWD becomes mandatory for Food Assistance E&T when they lose exemption status due to changes that are required to be reported under the provisions of 9121 or 9122.  An ABAWD who has lost exempt status due to a change in circumstances which is not required to be reported under the provisions of 9121 or 9122 will be referred to the Mandatory Food Assistance E&T program and will be required to meet program participation requirements at the time of the next review.