
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 22, 1993                   TAG: 9310220232
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TEEN'S JOB CUTS FAMILY'S FOOD STAMPS

Each of the 18-year-old woman's paychecks was put into a savings account, but federal law says any money earned by a family member 18 or older counts as part of the household income. No exemptions are allowed.

The board voted Wednesday at a meeting in Lancaster County to uphold the decision of the Department of Social Services staff to cut the family's $277 food stamp allocation to $155. Now the college-bound high school senior, who earns about $500 a month, will have to help her family pay for food.

The board did not disclose the identity of the family or where they live.

Board member Linda A. Singer said the federal regulation was a stumbling block to someone working to break the cycle of poverty. She abstained from voting on the family's appeal.

"You are giving disincentives to what you ought to encourage," said Juan E. Milanes, another board member.

The board approved Milanes' motion to send records of the case to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and also to Virginia's senators and representatives. A letter expressing the board's dissatisfaction with the federal regulation will be enclosed.

Existing assets and monthly income are part of the formula used to calculate food stamp benefits. While the student's college savings do not count as an asset, the money earned each month does count as household income, social services officials said.

by CNB