as of

each year my employer, a municipality, provides a clothing allowance check to all employees on July 1st.

The contract reads,, All employees who are on the payroll as of January 1st of that calendar year will recieve an a clothing allowance check.

Here is my question,, I was hired on January 5th of this year. Does this sentence mean that you had to be employed on January 1st or does it mean anyone employed on or after January 1st of 2008 will get a check?

I appreciate your help.