Page 18

SCREENING FOR WORK REGISTRATION State agency eligibility staff must screen for federal exemptions from work registration, per 7 CFR 273.7(a). Describe how the State agency screens applicants to determine if they are work registrants. In accordance with Section 602-1 G of the State’s SNAP manual, an eligibility technician screens applicants to determine if they are work registrants by first establishing whether the individual is exempt from the basic work requirements. If exempt, no further work requirements apply. Summary of Manual Rules for Determining Work Requirements and Exemptions: Exemption Determination: * Individuals are screened to identify if they meet any exemptions from basic work requirements. Exemptions are entered into the EIS WORK screen and documented in the case file. Categories of Exemptions: * Age Limits: Individuals under 16 or over 59, and certain youth aged 16-17, based on specific criteria (EIS Code A, L). * Caretakers: Parents or other household members caring for a dependent child under six or an incapacitated individual (EIS Code C). * Incapacitated Individuals: Those who are physically or mentally unable to work (EIS Code B). * Substance Abuse Treatment: Participants in drug or alcohol treatment programs (EIS Code G). * Unemployment Insurance: Recipients of or applicants complying with UIB work requirements (EIS Code K). * Employment: Individuals working at least 30 hours per week or earning an equivalent amount (EIS Code H). * Students: Those enrolled at least half-time in an educational institution (EIS Code I). * TANF Recipients: Adults subject to TANF work requirements are excused from SNAP work requirements unless failing to meet TANF requirements, which could lead to SNAP benefit reductions or disqualifications (EIS Code E). How does the State agency work register non-exempt individuals? Section 602-1 H of the SNAP manual outlines caseworker responsibilities, emphasizing thorough documentation and adherence to guidelines to manage work registration for SNAP participants effectively. • Caseworker Responsibilities - Work Requirements: • Notification: Caseworkers must inform work-required individuals of their duties, rights, and penalties via the F001 notice at key intervals: application, recertification, when exemptions change, or when such individuals join a SNAP household. • Registration: Non-exempt adults are registered by marking the WR DATE field on the EIS Work Activities screen. • Verification: If exemptions are in question, verification must be obtained. Compliance with work requirements is mandatory unless exemption is proven. • Eligible Strikers: Strikers must register for work unless exempt. Those who refuse orders to return to work under the Taft-Hartley Act are non-compliant. • Ongoing Monitoring: Work registration is updated at initial certification and annually. New registrations are required after any service break and when there are changes in exemption status. • Exemption Changes: If an exemption status changes due to new circumstances, registration for work must occur within 10 days. 1/27/26, 9:34 AM State Plan AK FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-akfy26stateplan//index.html 18/97