213.21 Special Verification of Employment Requirements for Refugees SR 06-12, 10/06 (FAM-A)

When a refugee has no way of obtaining written documentation of work or education history, arrange for the New Hampshire Governor’s Office of Energy and Community Assistance, Refugee Coordinator, to assist the refugee with a written declaration. A written declaration for a refugee family should include enough information to establish which adult is the PWE and the work history of the PWE. Work with the Refugee Office and the refugee to resolve discrepancies in the declaration.

If the refugee and the Refugee Office have determined a U.S. dollar equivalent for the refugee’s earnings in a quarter of at least $50, the work history requirement or that quarter has been met. If earnings of less than $50 are found, apply the following procedures for all types of earnings except self-employment.

1.  Determine the estimated number of hours worked in the quarter.

2.  Multiply the hours by the federal minimum wage for that period of time. The history of the federal minimum wage is charted below:

3.  If the result is less than $50, work with the refugee and the Refugee Office to estimate a comparable New Hampshire wage for the type of work the refugee did. If the estimated wage multiplied by the number of hours worked yields a quarterly wage of at least $50, the work history requirement for that quarter is met. If not, the work history requirement is not met.

For self-employment, use net income to establish earnings. Subtract the cost of doing business from gross income. The result may not be equal to hours worked multiplied by federal minimum wages, since businesses sometimes operate at a loss or with little or no profit. To document self- employment income for refugees, call the DFA TANF/UP Program Specialist at State Office for determination of employment history.