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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 200A – Income: ABD Categories Page |90 Effective Month: July 2025 200A.07.43 WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA) The Workforce Investment Act replaced the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA.) The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), which became effective July 1, 2000, establishes a national workforce preparation and employment system to meet the needs of businesses, job seekers and those who want to further their careers. Individuals have easy access to information and services through the One-Stop Career Center system. Determine the type, amount and frequency of the income the individual receives and evaluate the income, e.g., wages, stipends, bonuses, incentive payments, etc., under the general rule pertaining to income and income exclusions. Disregard any payments that represent supportive services (childcare, transportation, medical care, meals, etc.) which are social services, not income. 200A.07.44 JOB CORPS The Job Corps is a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program. A Job Corps participant who is a student under age 22 qualifies for the student earned income exclusion. Treatment of Income The living allowance (also called student pay) is the regular, recurring payment to Job Corps participants. It is paid bi-weekly and may include bonuses and/or incentive payments. FICA is withheld from the entire amount. The living allowance is wages. The readjustment allowance is paid at the completion or termination of the program based on length of participation. It may include bonuses and/or incentive payments. FICA is withheld from the entire amount. The readjustment allowance, including any amount deducted to pay the participant's share of a dependent's allowance, is wages. Any bonus and incentive payments are also wages. A bi-weekly dependent's allowance may be paid directly to a participant's dependent. The Federal Government pays for half. The other half is subsequently deducted from the participant's readjustment allowance. This allowance is counted as unearned income to the dependent. The clothing allowance is furnished only as a voucher redeemable at a designated clothing store. The clothing allowance (voucher) is not income. The transportation allowance is furnished only as tickets (usually bus tickets) that cannot be converted to cash. This allowance is not income.