1105.025.30.35 Work Effort Reduction – DSS Manuals

IM-108 November 20, 2007 ; IM-103 October 4, 2004 ; IM-32 April 1, 1999

An individual who was employed 30 hours or more per week or who had earnings that exceed the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours per week, is ineligible to participate in the SNAP Program when the individual:

voluntarily and without good cause reduces their work effort; and

after the reduction, is: working less than 30 hours per week; or earning less than the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours per week

These individuals are subject to the disqualification penalties outlined in 1105.025.55 Work Registration (METP) Noncompliance Sanctions .

NOTE: If the individual who voluntarily reduced the number of hours worked continues to earn weekly wages that exceed the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours, they are exempt from work registration.

Explore situations in which the participant reports a change that indicates the number of hours worked per week have been reduced to less than 30 hours per week taking into consideration minor variations in the number of hours worked or in the weekly minimum wage equivalent. For example, a reported change in income may indicate a reduction in the number of hours worked per week. Explore work effort reduction at application, recertification, and when a change is reported.

If it is determined the participant voluntarily reduced their work effort to less than 30 hours per week, explore good cause. See 1105.025.35 Determining Good Cause for Work Registration Components . If the participant did not have good cause for the reduction, apply the sanctions outlined in 1105.025.55 Work Registration (METP) Noncompliance Sanctions .

Work effort reduction information is captured on the Job Quit/Work Reduction (FMMT) screen. When a household member has voluntarily reduced the number of hours worked, enter Y in the answer field for the question “Has anyone in your household age 16 to 60 reduced hours worked in the last 60 days?” and press enter. Press F6=DETAILS to go to the Work Reduction Detail (FMMN) screen. Commit an answer for each household member listed. If a good cause determination can be made while in the controlled flow, type or prompt for the appropriate good cause code. When a good cause determination cannot be made while in the controlled flow, enter sanction type WER (work effort reduction) following instructions outlined in the Entering a Sanction or Disqualification user guide.