(Revised 06/01/15 ML3440)
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When an individual quits or loses a job through their own actions or reduces their work effort voluntarily and after the reduction is working less than 30 hours per week, the worker must explore whether the voluntary quit provisions apply. The voluntary quit provisions do not apply to individuals exempt from the work requirements, other than individuals exempt due to employment of 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at least equivalent to the federal minimum wage currently in effect multiplied by 30 hours.
An individual is disqualified if all of the following voluntary quit provisions are met:
- If the quit or reduction in hours occurred:
- within 30 days prior to the date of initial application
- within 30 days prior to the date of receipt of the application for review
- within 30 days prior to the date of when an individual is added to an on-going case.
Example:
Household reports an individual moved into their home on April 15. Individual is being added to the case for May benefits. If the quit occurred within 30 days prior to May 1, voluntary quit provisions would apply if all other provisions are met.
- After the initial application or application for review was filed and the household reports the quit or reduction prior to the application or review being processed.
- If the individual was a mandatory work registrant at the time of the quit or reduction in hours.
- If the individual was hired for employment of 30 hours or more per week (can be averaged), regardless of the length of employment or if the individual received weekly earnings at least equivalent to the federal minimum wage currently in effect multiplied by 30 hours.
Example:
A mandatory work registrant was hired to work 30 hours per week. The individual quit the second day of employment without good cause. This would be considered a voluntary job quit.
- If the quit was without good cause.
Benefits must not be delayed beyond expedited processing time frames pending the outcome of the determination.
If it is determined that a voluntary quit or reduction in hours occurred after benefits have been issued and verifications were postponed in order to meet the expedited time frames, a claim must NOT be established however, the individual would be disqualified (DW).
Example: A SNAP application was received; verification of last paycheck, last day of work and reason for termination was postponed to meet the expedited processing time frame. The SNAP review, and postponed verifications were provided. If the verified information indicates the individual quit the job within 30 days of the initial application without good cause, voluntary quit provisions apply.
A disqualification penalty is applied to a voluntary quit when an individual:
- Voluntarily quits or reduced hours without good cause.
- Simply leaves a job unannounced or does not return to work without good cause.
- Had been warned by the employer and continues the objectionable behavior after the warning and is terminated.
Example:
An individual is continually late for work or does not show up for work.
- Is terminated without prior warning.
Examples:
Stealing from the employer or drinking on the job.
If the individual states they quit a job or reduced their hours and are not claiming good cause, an employer contact is not required. This must be thoroughly documented in the case file.
A disqualification penalty is not applied to a voluntary quit when:
- The reason for the termination/reduction was beyond the individual’s control.
- Terminating a self-employment enterprise.
- Resigning a job at the demand of an employer, when an individual has been given the option of resigning or being terminated due to circumstances beyond the individual’s control.
- Terminating employment through a training program such as WIA.
- An individual quits a job, secures new employment at comparable wages or hours and is then laid off, or through no fault of their own loses the new job, the earlier quit will not form the basis of a disqualification.
Example:
An individual quits a full-time job without good cause and several days later applies for SNAP. At the time of application, the individual has secured new employment and is exempt from work requirements. A disqualification would not be imposed against the individual as at the time of application, the individual is exempt from the work requirements.
-
An individual reduces their work hours to less than 30 hours a week, but continues to earn weekly wages that exceed the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours.
