[Federal Register: April 25, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 81)]
[Notices]
[Page 22435-22441]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ap08-123]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Workforce Investment Act; Lower Living Standard Income Level
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of Determination of Lower Living Standard Income Level.
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SUMMARY: Under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998
(Pub. L. 105-220), the Secretary of Labor annually determines the Lower
Living Standard Income level (LLSIL) for uses
[[Page 22436]]
described in the law. WIA defines the term ``Low Income Individual'' as
one who qualifies under various criteria, including an individual who
received income for a six-month period that does not exceed the higher
level of the poverty line or 70 percent of the LLSIL. This issuance
provides the Secretary's annual LLSIL for 2008 and references the
current 2008 Health and Human Services ``Poverty Guidelines.''
DATES: Effective Date: This notice is effective on the date of
publication in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Mr. Evan Rosenberg, Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Room N-4464, Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Mr. Evan Rosenberg,
telephone 202-693-3593; fax 202-693-3532 (these are not toll-free
numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It is the purpose of the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998 ``to provide workforce investment activities,
through statewide and local workforce investment systems, that increase
the employment, retention, and earnings of participants, and increase
occupational skill attainment by participants, and as a result, improve
the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and enhance
the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation.''
The LLSIL is used for several purposes under WIA. Specifically, WIA
section 101(25) defines the term ``low income individual'' for
eligibility purposes, and sections 127(b)(2)(C) and 132(b)(1)(B)(v)(IV)
define the terms ``disadvantaged youth'' and ``disadvantaged adult'' in
terms of the poverty line or LLSIL for state formula allotments. The
Governor and state/local workforce investment boards (WIBs) use the
LLSIL for determining eligibility for youth, eligibility for employed
adult workers for certain services and for the Work Opportunity Tax
Credit (WOTC). We encourage the Governors and state/local WIBs to
consult WIA regulations and the preamble to the WIA Final Rule
(published at 65 FR 49294 August 11, 2000) for more specific guidance
in applying the LLSIL to program requirements. The Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) published the annual 2008 update of the
poverty-level guidelines in the Federal Register at 72 FR 3147-3148 on
Jan. 23, 2008. The HHS 2008 Poverty guidelines may also be found on the
Internet at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/08fedreg.pdf. ETA plans to
have the 2008 LLSIL available on its Web site at [http://
www.doleta.gov/llsil/2008/].
WIA section 101(24) defines the LLSIL as ``that income level
(adjusted for regional, metropolitan, urban and rural differences and
family size) determined annually by the Secretary [of Labor] based on
the most recent lower living family budget issued by the Secretary.''
The most recent lower living family budget was issued by the Secretary
in the fall of 1981. The four-person urban family budget estimates,
previously published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provided
the basis for the Secretary to determine the LLSIL. BLS terminated the
four-person family budget series in 1982, after publication of the fall
1981 estimates. Currently, BLS provides data to ETA through which ETA
develops the LLSIL tables, as provided in the Appendices.
ETA published the 2007 updates to the LLSIL in the Federal Register
of June 4, 2007, at 72 FR 30858. This notice again updates the LLSIL to
reflect cost of living increases for 2007, by applying the percentage
change in the December 2007 Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers (CPI-U), compared with the December 2006 CPI-U to each of the
June 4, 2007, LLSIL figures. Those updated figures for a family-of-four
are listed in Appendix A, Table 1, by region for both metropolitan and
non-metropolitan areas. Figures in all of the accompanying tables, in
the Appendices, are rounded up to the nearest dollar. Since low income
individuals, ``disadvantaged adult'' and ``disadvantaged youth'' may be
determined by family income at 70 percent of the LLSIL, pursuant to WIA
Sections 101(25), 127(b)(2)(C), and 132(b)(1)(B)(v)(IV), respectively,
those figures are listed as well.
Jurisdictions included in the various regions, based generally on
Census Divisions of the U.S. Department of Commerce, are as follows:
Northeast
Connecticut.
Maine.
Massachusetts.
New Hampshire.
New Jersey.
New York.
Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island.
Vermont.
Virgin Islands.
Midwest
Illinois.
Indiana.
Iowa.
Kansas.
Michigan.
Minnesota.
Missouri.
Nebraska.
North Dakota.
Ohio.
South Dakota.
Wisconsin.
South
Alabama.
American Samoa.
Arkansas.
Delaware.
District of Columbia.
Florida.
Georgia.
Northern Marianas.
Oklahoma.
Palau.
Puerto Rico.
South Carolina.
Kentucky.
Louisiana.
Marshall Islands.
Maryland.
Micronesia.
Mississippi.
North Carolina.
Tennessee.
Texas.
Virginia.
West Virginia.
West
Arizona.
California.
Colorado.
Idaho.
Montana.
Nevada.
New Mexico.
Oregon.
Utah.
Washington.
Wyoming.
Additionally, separate figures have been provided for Alaska,
Hawaii, and Guam as indicated in Appendix B, Table 2.
For Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam, the year 2007 figures were updated
from the June 4, 2007, ``State Index'' based on the ratio of the urban
change in the State (using Anchorage for Alaska and Honolulu for Hawaii
and Guam) compared to the West regional metropolitan change, and then
applying that index to the West regional metropolitan change.
Data on 23 selected MSAs are also available. These are based on
semiannual CPI-U changes for a 12-month period ending in December 2007.
The updated LLSIL figures for these MSAs and 70 percent of the LLSIL
are reported in Appendix C, Table 3.
Appendix D, Table 4 lists each of the various figures at 70 percent
of the updated 2008 LLSIL for family sizes of one to six persons.
Because tables 1-3 only list the LLSIL for a family of four, table 4
can be used to determine the LLSIL for families of one to six persons.
For families larger than six persons, an amount equal to the difference
between
[[Page 22437]]
the six-person and the five-person family income levels should be added
to the six-person family income level for each additional person in the
family. Where the poverty level for a particular family size is greater
than the corresponding LLSIL figure, the figure is indicated in
parentheses. A modified Excel version of Appendix D, Table 4, with the
area names, will be available on the Department of Labor, Employment
and Training Administration LLSIL Webpage at (http://www.doleta.gov/
llsil/2008/). Appendix E, Table 5, indicates 100 percent of LLSIL for
family sizes of one to six and is used to determine self-sufficiency as
noted at 20 CFR 663.230 of the WIA regulations and WIA Section
134(d)(3)(A)(ii).
Use of These Data
Governors should designate the appropriate LLSILs for use within
the State from Appendices A, B, and C, containing Tables 1 through 3.
Appendices D and E, which contain Tables 4 and 5, may be used with any
LLSIL designated. The Governor's designation may be provided by
disseminating information on MSAs and metropolitan and non-metropolitan
areas within the State or it may involve further calculations. For
example, the State of New Jersey may have four or more LLSIL figures
for Northeast metropolitan, Northeast non-metropolitan, portions of the
State in the New York City MSA, and those in the Philadelphia MSA. If a
workforce investment area includes areas that would be covered by more
than one figure, the Governor may determine which is to be used.
Under 20 CFR 661.110, a State's policies and measures for the
workforce investment system shall be accepted by the Secretary to the
extent that they are consistent with the WIA and the WIA regulations.
Disclaimer on Statistical Uses
It should be noted, the publication of these figures is only for
the purpose of meeting the requirements specified by WIA as defined in
the law and regulations. BLS has not revised the lower living family
budget since 1981, and has no plans to do so. The four-person urban
family budget estimates series has been terminated. The CPI-U
adjustments used to update the LLSIL for this publication are not
precisely comparable, most notably because certain tax items were
included in the 1981 LLSIL, but are not in the CPI-U. Thus, these
figures should not be used for any statistical purposes, and are valid
only for those purposes under WIA as defined in the law and
regulations.
Lower Living Standard Income Level for 2008
Under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Pub. L.
105--220), the Secretary of Labor annually determines the Lower Living
Standard Income Level (LLSIL). This Notice announces the LLSIL Tables
for 2008. WIA requires the Department of Labor to update and publish
the LLSIL tables annually. The LLSIL tables are used for several
purposes under WIA, including determining eligibility for youth and for
the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 18th of April, 2008.
Brent R. Orrell,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
Attachments
Appendix A
Table 1.--Lower Living Standard Income Level (for a Family of Four
Persons) by Region \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 Adjusted 70 Percent
Region \2\ LLSIL LLSIL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast:
Metro............................. $37,441 $26,208
Non-Metro \3\..................... 36,050 25,235
Midwest:
Metro............................. 33,298 23,309
Non-Metro......................... 31,881 22,317
South:
Metro............................. 32,176 22,523
Non-Metro......................... 30,740 21,518
West:
Metro............................. 36,664 25,665
Non-Metro \4\..................... 35,409 24,786
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\1\ For ease of use, these figures are rounded to the next highest
dollar.
\2\ Metropolitan area measures were calculated from the weighted average
CPI-Us for city size classes A and B/C. Non-metropolitan area measures
were calculated from the CPI-Us for city size class D.
\3\ Non-metropolitan area percent changes for the Northeast region are
no longer available. The Non-metropolitan percent change was
calculated using the U.S. average CPI-U for city size class D.
\4\ Non-metropolitan area percent changes for the West region are
unpublished data.
Appendix B
Table 2.--Lower Living Standard Income Level (for a Family of Four
Persons)--Alaska, Hawaii and Guam \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 Adjusted 70 Percent
Region LLSIL LLSIL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska:
Metro............................. $44,250 $30,975
Non-Metro \2\..................... 44,428 31,099
Hawaii, Guam:
Metro............................. 47,622 33,335
Non-Metro \2\..................... 47,430 33,201
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For ease of use, these figures are rounded to the next highest
dollar.
[[Page 22438]]
\2\ Non-Metropolitan percent changes for Alaska, Hawaii and Guam were
calculated from the CPI-Us for city size class D in the Western
Region.
Appendix C
Table 3.--Lower Living Standard Income Level (for a Family of Four
Persons) 23 MSAs \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 Adjusted 70 Percent
Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) LLSIL LLSIL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anchorage, AK......................... $44,250 $30,975
Atlanta, GA........................... 31,719 22,203
Boston--Brockton--Nashua, MA/NH/ME/CT. 40,864 28,605
Chicago--Gary--Kenosha, IL/IN/WI...... 35,158 24,611
Cincinnati--Hamilton, OH/KY/IN........ 33,026 23,118
Cleveland--Akron, OH.................. 34,473 24,131
Dallas--Ft. Worth, TX................. 30,779 21,545
Denver--Boulder--Greeley, CO.......... 34,312 24,018
Detroit--Ann Arbor--Flint, MI......... 32,312 22,618
Honolulu, HI.......................... 47,622 33,335
Houston--Galveston--Brazoria, TX...... 29,819 20,873
Kansas City, MO/KS.................... 31,656 22,159
Los Angeles--Riverside--Orange County, 38,783 27,148
CA...................................
Milwaukee--Racine, WI................. 32,338 22,637
Minneapolis--St. Paul, MN/WI.......... 32,544 22,781
New York--Northern NJ--Long Island, NY/ 39,572 27,700
NJ/CT/PA.............................
Philadelphia--Wilmington--Atlantic 36,463 25,524
City, PA/NJ/DE/MD....................
Pittsburgh, PA........................ 39,203 27,442
St. Louis, MO/IL...................... 31,291 21,904
San Diego, CA......................... 41,459 29,021
San Francisco--Oakland--San Jose, CA.. 38,904 27,233
Seattle--Tacoma--Bremerton, WA........ 39,549 27,684
Washington--Baltimore, DC/MD/VA/WV \2\ 40,013 28,009
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For ease of use, these figures are rounded to the next highest
dollar.
\2\ Baltimore and Washington are now calculated as a single metropolitan
statistical area.
Appendix D
Table 4.--Seventy Percent of Updated 2008 Lower Living Standard Income
Level (LLSIL), by Family Size
To use the 70 percent LLSIL value, where it is stipulated for
WIA programs, begin by locating the region or metropolitan area
where they reside. These are listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3. After
locating the appropriate region or metropolitan statistical area,
find the 70 percent LLSIL amount for that location. The 70 percent
LLSIL figures are listed in the last column to the right on each of
the three tables. These figures apply to a family of four. Larger
and smaller family eligibility is based on a percentage of the
family of four. To determine eligibility for other size families
consult table 4 and the instructions below.
To use Table 4, locate the 70 percent LLSIL value that applies
to the individual's region or metropolitan area from Tables 1, 2 or
3. Find the same number in the ``family of four'' column of Table 4.
Move left or right across that row to the size that corresponds to
the individual's family unit. That figure is the maximum household
income the individual is permitted in order to qualify as
economically disadvantaged under WIA.
Where the HHS poverty level for a particular family size is
greater than the corresponding LLSIL figure, the LLSIL figure
appears in a shaded block. Individuals from these size families may
consult the 2008 HHS poverty guidelines found in the Federal
Register, Vol. 72, No. 15, January 24, 2008, pp. 3147-3148 (on the
Internet at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/07fedreg.htm) to find the
higher eligibility standard. Individuals from Alaska and Hawaii
should consult the HHS guidelines for the generally higher poverty
levels that apply in their states.
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Appendix E
Table 5.--Updated 2008 LLSIL (100%), By Family Size
To use the LLSIL to determine the minimum level for establishing
self-sufficiency criteria at the State or local level, begin by
locating the metropolitan area or region from Table 1, 2 or 3. Then
locate the appropriate region or metropolitan statistical area and
then find the 2008 Adjusted LLSIL amount for that location. These
figures apply to a family of four. Locate the correspon55ding number
in the family of four in the column below. Move left or right across
that row to the size that corresponds to the individual's family
unit. That figure is the minimum figure States must set for
determining whether employment leads to self-sufficiency under WIA
programs.
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[FR Doc. E8-9076 Filed 4-24-08; 8:45 am]
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