Failure to Cooperate - Failure to cooperate means the household did not or is unable to cooperate because of carelessness or inability.

Example: The EDG misses its interview, but did not give any indication that it refuses to be interviewed. 


Fair Hearing - Fair hearings are meetings held when the EDG or a representative chosen by the EDG makes a hearing request to object to actions taken against the EDG’s case. The fair hearing is conducted by a hearing officer who confirms or denies the agency’s actions.


Fair Market Value - The amount of money an asset can be sold for on the open market.


Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) - A federal agency that provides credit and technical assistance to rural families and communities through 4 major programs: a housing program, utilities program, business program, and community development program.


Farmers' Market - Food markets where local farmers sell products directly to consumers, including, but not limited to:

  • Bakery products
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Fruit
  • Meat
  • Vegetables


Federal Fiscal Quarter - January through March, April through June, July through September and October through December.


Federal Fiscal Year - October 1 through September 30 of the next calendar year.


Federal Means-Tested Public Assistance - Federal programs with limits on assets and income of applicants and recipients.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Exception: Federal means-tested public assistance programs do not include the following when crediting a qualifying work quarter to a non-citizen:

  • Emergency medical assistance
  • Foster care and adoption assistance
  • Head Start Act
  • Mean-tested program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
  • National School Lunch Program
  • Public health assistance for immunizations or communicable diseases not paid by Medicaid
  • Short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency disaster relief
  • Student educational assistance
  • WIOA 


Federal Poverty Level (FPL) - The set minimum amount of gross income a family needs for food, clothing, transportation, shelter and other necessities. The amount varies by family size. The Department of Health and Human Services determines the amount annually.


Federal Rule/Regulation - A Federal rule/regulation provides specific detail about how to implement federal laws.


Fiscal Closure - The obligations for or against the Federal government are liquidated.


Fleeing Felon - Individual who is fleeing to avoid prosecution or custody for a crime, or an attempt to commit a crime, that would be classified as a felony (or in the State of New Jersey a high misdemeanor) under a Federal or State law.


Fluctuating Income - Fluctuating income is income usually paid at a set time but in different amounts.


Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) - An agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) working to end hunger and obesity through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs.