# Workforce Investment Act; Lower Living Standard Income Level > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2011-6510 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** March 21, 2011 - **Citation:** 76 FR 15342 ## Text 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 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A2011-6510. Public record. Not legal advice.