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DETERMINING THE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION HOURS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

In determining the maximum number of hours of Community Service allowed each month for an Employment First participant, the minimum wage requirement of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is used. To determine, add the household’s ADC cash payment and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotment for the ADC unit then divide the total monthly benefit amount by the federal minimum wage. Fractions of hours must be rounded down. ADC cash payment + SNAP allotment ÷ Federal Minimum Wage = Maximum Hours per Month To determine the SNAP allotment for the ADC Unit when the unit sizes do not match: Total SNAP allotment ÷ Number of individuals included in the SNAP unit × Number of individuals included in the ADC unit = The SNAP allotment for the ADC unit For a two-parent household where both parents are participating in the Community Service component activity, the rule is the same for determining the maximum number of hours per month. However, the maximum number of hours is divided between the two parents. In converting monthly hours to weekly, divide the total monthly hours by the 4.3 conversion factor to arrive at a weekly amount. Monthly reviews of the benefit amounts occur, and hours are adjusted accordingly when benefits change. Note: The minimum wage requirement of the FLSA does not apply to community service programs such as AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), or court-ordered community service. The actual number of hours of participation in these programs is counted, which may be more than allowed by the formula above. DEEMING HOURS OF PARTICIPATION Single-parent families: If the maximum number of hours allowed under the minimum wage requirement of the FLSA is less than 20 hours per week for the core activity, and the individual participates in Community Service for the maximum hours allowable for the month, they are considered to have satisfied the 20 hours per week core activity requirement. Two-parent families: If the maximum number of hours allowed under the minimum wage requirement of the FLSA is less than 30 or 50 hours per week for the core activity, and one or both parents participate in Community Service for the maximum hours allowable for the month, they are considered to have satisfied the 30 or 50 hours per week core activity requirement, depending on whether federally funded child care is received.