| Page Range | 16450-16456 | |
| FR Document | 2015-07031 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 16450-16456] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-07031] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Lower Living Standard Income Level AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Title I of WIOA requires the U.S. Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to update and publish the LLSIL tables annually, for uses described in the law (including determining eligibility for youth). WIOA defines the term ``low income individual'' as one who qualifies under various criteria, including an individual who receives, or received for a prior six-month period, income 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 2015 and references the current 2015 Health and Human Services ``Poverty Guidelines.'' These provisions in WIOA pertaining to LLSIL reflect no change from the prior language under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, as amended. DATES: This notice is effective March 27, 2015. For Further Information or Questions on LLSIL: Please contact Samuel Wright, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room C-4526, Washington, DC 20210; Telephone: 202-693-2870; Fax: 202-693-3015 (these are not toll-free [[Page 16451]] numbers); Email address: [email protected]. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone number above via Text Telephone (TTY/TDD) by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD). For Further Information or Questions on Federal Youth Employment Programs: Please contact Jennifer Kemp, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room N-4464, Washington, DC 20210; Telephone: 202-693-3377; Fax: 202-693-3113 (these are not toll-free numbers); Email: [email protected]. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the telephone number above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627 (TTY/TDD). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of WIOA is to provide workforce investment activities through statewide and local workforce investment systems that increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants. WIOA programs are intended to increase attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials by participants and the quality of the workforce, thereby reducing welfare dependency, increase economic self-sufficiency, meet the skill requirements of employers, and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the Nation. LLSIL is used for several purposes under WIOA. Specifically, WIOA Section 3(36) 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 development boards (WDBs) use the LLSIL for determining eligibility for youth and adults for certain services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the most current poverty-level guidelines in the Federal Register on January 22, 2015 (Volume 80, Number 14), pp. 3236-3237. The HHS 2015 Poverty guidelines may also be found on the Internet at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm. ETA plans to have the 2015 LLSIL available on its Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/llsil/2015/. WIOA Section 3(36)(B) defines 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 fall 1981. The four-person urban family budget estimates, previously published by the U.S. 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, which ETA then uses to develop the LLSIL tables, as provided in the Appendices to this Federal Register notice. ETA published the 2014 updates to the LLSIL in the Federal Register of March 27, 2014, at Vol. 79, No. 59 pp. 17184-17188. This notice again updates the LLSIL to reflect cost of living increases for 2015, by using the percentage change in the most recent 2014 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for an area, and then applying this calculation to each of the March 27, 2014 LLSIL figures. The updated figures for a four-person family are listed in Appendix A, Table 1, by region for both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Numbers in all of the Appendix tables are rounded up to the nearest dollar. Since program eligibility for ``low-income individuals,'' ``disadvantaged adults,'' and ``disadvantaged youth'' may be determined by family income at 70 percent of the LLSIL, pursuant to WIOA Sections 3(36), 127(b)(2)(C), and 132(b)(1)(B)(v)(IV), respectively, those figures are listed as well. I. Jurisdictions Jurisdictions included in the various regions, based generally on the Census Regions of the U.S. Department of Commerce, are as follows: A. Northeast Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands. B. Midwest Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin. C. South Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Marshall Islands, Maryland, Micronesia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Northern Marianas, Oklahoma, Palau, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. D. 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 2015 figures were updated from the 2014 ``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 2014. The updated LLSIL figures for these MSAs and 70 percent of LLSIL are reported in Appendix C, Table 3. Appendix D, Table 4 lists each of the various figures at 70 percent of the updated 2014 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 separately determine the LLSIL for families of between one and 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 70 percent of the LLSIL figure, the figure is shaded. A modified Microsoft Excel version of Appendix D, Table 4, with the area names, will be available on the ETA LLSIL Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/llsil/2015/. Appendix E, Table 5, indicates 100 percent of LLSIL for family sizes of one to six. 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 adjust a family of four figure for larger and smaller families, may be used with any LLSIL designated area. 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 [[Page 16452]] 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 LLSIL figure, the governor may determine which is to be used. III. Disclaimer on Statistical Uses It should be noted that publication of these figures is only for the purpose of meeting the requirements specified by WIOA as defined in the law and in any subsequent guidance or 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 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 WIOA as defined in the law. Appendix A Table 1--Lower Living Standard Income Level (for a Family of Four Persons) by Region \1\ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2015 Region \2\ Adjusted 70 Percent LLSIL LLSIL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Northeast: Metro....................................... $41,954 $29,368 Non-Metro \3\............................... 41,994 29,396 Midwest: Metro....................................... 37,014 25,910 Non-Metro................................... 35,711 24,998 South: Metro....................................... 38,485 26,939 Non-Metro................................... 35,533 24,873 West: Metro....................................... 42,887 30,021 Non-Metro \4\............................... 42,727 29,909 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \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-U's for city size classes A and B/C. Non-metropolitan area measures were calculated from the CPI-U's 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 based on unpublished BLS data. Appendix B Table 2--Lower Living Standard Income Level (for a Family of Four Persons), for Alaska, Hawaii and Guam \1\ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2015 Region Adjusted 70 Percent LLSIL LLSIL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alaska: Metro....................................... $48,043 $33,630 Non-Metro \2\............................... 51,152 35,806 Hawaii, Guam: Metro....................................... 51,810 36,267 Non-Metro \2\............................... 54,609 38,226 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \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-U's for all urban consumers for city size class D in the Western Region. Generally the non-metro areas LLSIL is lower than the LLSIL in metro areas. This year the non-metro area LLSIL incomes were larger because the change in CPI-U was smaller in the metro areas compared to the change in CPI-U in the non-metro areas of Alaska, Hawaii and Guam. Appendix C Table 3--Lower Living Standard Income Level (for a Family of Four Persons), for 23 Selected MSAs \1\ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2015 Adjusted 70 Percent Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) LLSIL LLSIL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anchorage, AK........................... $49,244 $34,471 Atlanta, GA............................. 34,612 24,228 Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA/NH/ME/CT..... 44,808 31,366 Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL/IN/WI.......... 38,019 26,613 Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH/KY/IN........... 36,218 25,353 Cleveland-Akron, OH..................... 37,538 26,276 Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX.................... 34,141 23,899 Denver-Boulder-Greeley, CO.............. 38,300 26,810 Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI............. 35,521 24,865 Honolulu, HI............................ 52,741 36,919 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX.......... 34,462 24,124 Kansas City, MO/KS...................... 34,915 24,440 Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA. 42,615 29,830 Milwaukee-Racine, WI.................... 36,595 25,617 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN/WI............. 36,540 25,578 New York-Northern NJ-Long Island, NY/NJ/ 45,053 31,537 CT/PA.................................. Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, 40,652 28,457 PA/NJ/DE/MD............................ Pittsburgh, PA.......................... 44,495 31,147 St. Louis, MO/IL........................ 34,317 24,022 San Diego, CA........................... 46,274 32,392 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA...... 44,850 31,395 Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA............ 44,928 31,450 Washington-Baltimore, DC/MD/VA/WV \2\... 45,460 31,822 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \1\ For ease of use, these figures are rounded to the next highest dollar. \2\ Baltimore and Washington are calculated as a single metropolitan statistical area. [[Page 16453]] Appendix D Table 4: 70 Percent of Updated 2015 Lower Living Standard Income Level (LLSIL), by Family Size To use the 70 percent LLSIL value, where it is stipulated for WIOA programs, begin by locating the region or metropolitan area where the program applicant resides. 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 WIOA. 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. For individuals from these size families, consult the 2015 HHS poverty guidelines found on the Health and Human Services Web site at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm to find the higher eligibility standard. For individuals from Alaska and Hawaii, consult the HHS guidelines for the generally higher poverty levels that apply in those States. [[Page 16454]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN27MR15.008 [[Page 16455]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN27MR15.009 Appendix E Table 5: Updated 2015 LLSIL (100 percent), 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 2015 adjusted LLSIL amount for that location. These figures apply to a family of four. Locate the corresponding number in the family-of-four column in the table below. Move left or right across that row to the size that corresponds to the individual's family unit. Table 5. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Family of one Family of two Family of three Family of four Family of five Family of six ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12,298 20,153 27,662 34,141 40,296 47,121 12,364 20,255 27,803 34,317 40,500 47,359 12,417 20,342 27,920 34,462 40,671 47,564 12,462 20,424 28,046 34,612 40,847 47,767 12,569 20,604 28,290 34,915 41,205 48,190 12,792 20,958 28,777 35,521 41,917 49,018 12,802 20,972 28,784 35,533 41,932 49,038 12,866 21,074 28,931 35,711 42,150 49,291 13,042 21,377 29,346 36,218 42,744 49,986 13,160 21,564 29,605 36,540 43,126 50,434 13,175 21,595 29,646 36,595 43,188 50,506 13,326 21,844 29,983 37,014 43,677 51,090 13,517 22,157 30,409 37,538 44,301 51,803 13,687 22,440 30,794 38,019 44,869 52,476 13,794 22,604 31,031 38,300 45,196 52,860 13,861 22,711 31,172 38,485 45,422 53,122 14,643 23,991 32,933 40,652 47,979 56,104 15,109 24,763 33,986 41,954 49,514 57,900 15,121 24,786 34,026 41,994 49,562 57,952 15,343 25,143 34,520 42,615 50,287 58,817 15,384 25,213 34,617 42,727 50,427 58,977 15,441 25,303 34,741 42,887 50,608 59,192 16,027 26,263 36,050 44,495 52,514 61,411 16,134 26,441 36,305 44,808 52,881 61,838 16,155 26,471 36,331 44,850 52,929 61,904 16,184 26,510 36,397 44,928 53,020 62,004 16,222 26,588 36,494 45,053 53,163 62,184 16,373 26,831 36,829 45,460 53,653 62,747 16,668 27,304 37,488 46,274 54,609 63,868 17,304 28,348 38,922 48,043 56,696 66,310 17,736 29,065 39,893 49,244 58,118 67,959 18,423 30,181 41,438 51,152 60,363 70,590 [[Page 16456]] 18,662 30,571 41,974 51,810 61,140 71,508 18,994 31,120 42,721 52,741 62,237 72,794 19,666 32,227 44,237 54,609 64,441 75,363 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portia Wu, Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Administration. [FR Doc. 2015-07031 Filed 3-26-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-FT-P
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | This notice is effective March 27, 2015. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 16450 |