Workforce Investment Act; Lower Living Standard Income Level

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.

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 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 2011 and references the current 2011 Health and Human Services “Poverty Guidelines.”

DATES:

Effective Date:

This notice is effective on the date of publication in the

Federal Register.

ADDRESSES:

Send questions about the Lower Living Standard Income Level calculations: Mr. Samuel Wright, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room S-4231, Washington, DC 20210.

Send written youth program comments to: Mr. Evan Rosenberg, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-4464, Washington, DC 20210.

For Further Information on LLSIL:

Please contact Mr. Samuel Wright, Telephone 202-693-2870; Fax 202-693-3015 (these are not toll free numbers); e-mail address

wright.samuel.e@dol.gov.

For Further Information on Federal Youth Programs:

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. The Workforce Investment Act programs are intended to increase the occupational skill attainment by participants and the quality of the workforce thereby reducing 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 and eligibility for adults for certain services. 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 most current poverty-level guidelines in the

Federal Register

January 20, 2011 (Volume 76, Number 13) PP 3637-3638. The HHS 2011 Poverty guidelines may also be found on the Internet at:

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml.

ETA plans to have the 2011 LLSIL available on its Web site at [

http://www.doleta.gov/llsil/2011

/].

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 2010 updates to the LLSIL in the

Federal Register

of May 7, 2010, pp 25296-25300. This notice again updates the LLSIL to reflect cost of living increases for 2010, by applying the percentage change in the most recent 2010 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for an area, compared with the 2009 CPI-U to each of the May 7, 2010 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 the Census Regions 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 2010 figures were updated from the April, 2010 “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 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are also available. These are based on annual and semiannual CPI-U changes for a 12-month period ending in December 2010. 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 2010 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 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 shaded. 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 Web page at [

http://www.doleta.gov/llsil/2011/

]. 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, which adjusts a family of four figure for larger and smaller families, 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 2011

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 2011.

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.

Signed at Washington, DC this 14th day of March 2011.

Jane Oates,

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

Region

2

2011 adjusted LLSIL

70 percent LLSIL

Northeast

Metro

$39,379

$27,565

Non-Metro

3

37,616

26,331

Midwest

Metro

34,776

24,343

Non-Metro

33,587

23,511

South

Metro

33,506

23,454

Non-Metro

32,771

22,940

West

Metro

37,920

26,544

Non-Metro

4

36,402

25,481

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

Region

2011

Adjusted LLSIL

70 percent

LLSIL

Alaska

Metro

$45,182

$31,627

Non-Metro

2

45,674

31,972

Hawaii, Guam

Metro

48,867

34,207

Non-Metro

2

48,760

34,132

1

For ease of use, these figures are rounded to the next highest dollar.

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

Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)

2011

Adjusted LLSIL

70 percent LLSIL

Anchorage, AK

$46,311

$32,418

Atlanta, GA

31,667

22,167

Boston—Brockton—Nashua, MA/NH/ME/CT

42,142

29,499

Chicago—Gary—Kenosha, IL/IN/WI

36,251

25,375

Cincinnati—Hamilton, OH/KY/IN

34,498

24,149

Cleveland—Akron, OH

35,937

25,156

Dallas—Ft. Worth, TX

31,520

22,064

Denver—Boulder—Greeley, CO

36,195

25,337

Detroit—Ann Arbor—Flint, MI

33,311

23,317

Honolulu, HI

49,943

34,960

Houston—Galveston—Brazoria, TX

31,143

21,800

Kansas City, MO/KS

33,328

23,330

Los Angeles—Riverside—Orange County, CA

40,035

28,024

Milwaukee—Racine, WI

34,380

24,066

Minneapolis—St. Paul, MN/WI

34,395

24,077

New York—Northern NJ—Long Island, NY/NJ/CT/PA

41,706

29,194

Philadelphia—Wilmington—Atlantic City, PA/NJ/DE/MD

37,930

26,551

Pittsburgh, PA

41,394

28,976

St. Louis, MO/IL

32,688

22,881

San Diego, CA

43,731

30,612

San Francisco—Oakland—San Jose, CA

40,514

28,360

Seattle—Tacoma—Bremerton, WA

41,029

28,720

Washington—Baltimore, DC/MD/VA/WV

2

42,336

29,635

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 2011 Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL), by Family Size

To use the seventy 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 seventy percent LLSIL amount for that location. The seventy 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 seventy 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 2011 HHS poverty guidelines found in the

Federal Register

, Vol. 76, No. 13, January 20, 2011, pp. 3637-3638 (on the Internet at

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11fedreg.shtml

) 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.

BILLING CODE 4510-FT-P

EN21MR11.022

EN21MR11.023

BILLING CODE 4510-FT-C

Appendix E

Table 5—Updated 2011 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 2011 Adjusted LLSIL amount for that location. These figures apply to a family of four. Locate the corresponding 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.

Family of one

Family of two

Family of three

Family of four

Family of five

Family of six

$11,221

$18,383

$25,230

$31,143

$36,755

$42,983

11,354

18,606

25,538

31,520

37,202

43,504

11,401

18,686

25,660

31,667

37,372

43,703

11,777

19,293

26,482

32,688

38,576

45,109

11,807

19,342

26,547

32,771

38,673

45,227

11,997

19,654

26,987

33,311

39,309

45,968

11,998

19,667

27,004

33,328

39,332

45,999

12,068

19,773

27,140

33,506

39,545

46,250

12,101

19,822

27,211

33,587

39,644

46,361

12,377

20,287

27,852

34,380

40,573

47,448

12,387

20,298

27,867

34,395

40,594

47,473

12,422

20,362

27,952

34,498

40,714

47,612

12,520

20,523

28,169

34,776

41,036

48,000

12,940

21,213

29,113

35,937

42,413

49,595

13,036

21,362

29,327

36,195

42,713

49,955

13,051

21,396

29,363

36,251

42,782

50,036

13,106

21,480

29,492

36,402

42,961

50,245

13,545

22,202

30,479

37,616

44,395

51,911

13,652

22,373

30,718

37,920

44,746

52,337

13,662

22,384

30,728

37,930

44,767

52,347

14,182

23,243

31,900

39,379

46,475

54,347

14,414

23,620

32,429

40,035

47,242

55,256

14,593

23,911

32,818

40,514

47,811

55,918

14,780

24,210

33,238

41,029

48,419

56,623

14,910

24,432

33,538

41,394

48,854

57,131

15,016

24,613

33,782

41,706

49,214

57,564

15,174

24,867

34,145

42,142

49,735

58,158

15,247

24,988

34,298

42,336

49,966

58,435

15,752

25,803

35,428

43,731

51,608

60,358

16,274

26,660

36,604

45,182

53,319

62,361

16,450

26,949

37,000

45,674

53,898

63,030

16,680

27,334

37,517

46,311

54,657

63,911

17,559

28,776

39,499

48,760

57,540

67,292

17,602

28,835

39,590

48,867

57,669

67,447

17,986

29,468

40,454

49,943

58,935

68,931

[FR Doc. 2011-6510 Filed 3-18-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-FT-P