MR #08.06 Changes in the Food Stamp Work Requirement and the Federal Minimum Wage

SUMMARY:

Beginning January 2, 2008 in addition to Sangamon and McLean counties, customers living in 20 additional counties must meet the food stamp work requirement policy.
Beginning March 3, 2008, customers living in 6 additional counties must meet the food stamp work requirement policy.
Customers residing in certain cities and towns that are considered high unemployment areas within the 28 counties are exempt from the food stamp work requirement policy.
A new code "8" in Item 25 will help staff identify a case with an address in an area that has to meet the FS work requirement.
The Express Stamps module will prevent anyone subject to the work requirement from applying in Kane, Lake, DuPage, and Will counties.
All other counties in the state continue to be exempt from the FS work requirement policy.
FS work requirement policy and procedures explained in this release affect the FS eligibility of all nonexempt customers residing in the 28 counties.
A customer notice is being sent to inform nonexempt customers about the change.
A customer is limited to 3 months of FS in the 3-year (36 months) period if the work requirement is not met.
The 36-month period is a 3-year fixed period that began 01/01/06 and ends 12/31/08.
A customer may regain eligibility for an additional 3 months of food stamps.
Forms 3673 and 3674 are revised.
Links to a flow chart and desk aid are included in this release to help staff understand the process and implement the policy. The desk aid includes the number of hours that qualify for community service based on the amount of food stamp benefits received.
A change in federal law increased the federal minimum wage to $5.85 per hour.