State of Oklahoma
Department of Human Services
FSSD-01-008
TO: COUNTY DIRECTORS
FROM: Raymond Haddock, Division Administrator
Family Support Services Division
DATE: April 20, 2001
RE: FS Program - Voluntary Quit
340:50-5-89 through 340:50-5-96
This memo is a clarification of Voluntary Quit requirements in the Food Stamp Program. Voluntary Quit requirements apply to all applicant or participating households whose head of household as defined in OAC 340:50-5-90 voluntarily quit a job. The qualifier related to applicant or participating households being located in an Employment and Training (E&T) work registration county no longer applies.
When a household files an application or when a participating household reports loss of income, the social service specialist will determine if the voluntary quit sanction should apply. For purposes of failure to comply with the voluntary quit provision, the head of household is considered to be the principal wage earner unless the household has selected an adult parent of children or an adult with parental control of children as the head of household. The principal wage earner is the household member (including excluded members) who has the greatest earned income in the two months prior to the violation.
When a determination is made that the head of household voluntarily quit his/her employment, the social service specialist considers the facts and circumstances including information submitted by the principal wage earner and the employer. A decision is then made as to whether the voluntary quit was with good cause. Good cause for leaving employment is discussed in OAC 340:50-5-92. It should be emphasized with county staff that it would be a rare occasion to disqualify an individual for voluntary quit. If the individual gives a reasonable explanation of circumstances leading to the voluntary quit of employment it is recommended this be accepted, recorded in the working case application record, and no further sanction action taken.
Generally, the only time a voluntary quit sanction might be applied is if the individual, when asked why he/she quit employment, said “I just didn’t want to work anymore.” Otherwise, reasonable explanation of voluntary quit of employment should be accepted. For purposes of Quality Control (QC) review of case actions, the explanation and decision made by the social service specialist regarding voluntary quit will be accepted and recorded in the QC review narrative.
A Voluntary Quit Sample Thought Process sheet is included with this memo to assist county staff in making voluntary quit decisions.
If you have questions regarding this information, please contact the FSSD/FS Section at 405-521-3444.
Voluntary Quit
Sample thought processes
1. When did this quit take place?
IF: More than 60 day ago THEN: You ended the problem.
IF: Less than 60 days ago THEN: Go to next question.
2. Is the person who quit the Head of Household?
IF: This is not the head of household THEN: You ended the problem.
IF: This is the head of household THEN: Go to next question.
3. Did the job involve earnings of 20 hours or more per week or a salary
equivalent to minimum wage times 20 hours ($5.15 an hour times 20
hours = $103 times 4.3 = $442.90 or $443 gross monthly wage)?
IF: The job does not meet this criteria THEN: You ended this problem.
IF: The job meets this criteria THEN: Go to the next question.
4. Why did this person quit the job? Could it be “good cause”?
IF: The person quit for “good cause” THEN: You ended the problem.
IF: The person cannot fit the quit into “good cause” THEN: Go to the next question.
IF YOU HAVE: YOU WILL:
An application Deny same for 90 days from quit date.
An open case Close same for 3 calendar months next
effective date for negative action.
End of the problem: If at any time mentioned above, you end the problem, document the solution in the case record and/or on the application.