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State Plan AR FY26 - Original Submission Page of 5 112 PROGRAM CHANGES Summarize changes for the upcoming Federal fiscal year (FY) from the prior FY. Significant changes may include new initiatives, changes in funding or funding sources, policy changes, or significant changes to the number of partners or participants. Significant changes could include those made as a result of management evaluation findings or participation in program improvement initiatives, such as SNAP to Skills. It is not necessary to include changes made as a result of new Federal rulemaking. From October 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026, the SNAP E&T Program will continue operating under its current design as a volunatry program while the state finalizes the necessary functions, processes, and procedures for the launch of the Mandatory SNAP E&T Program, scheduled to begin April 1, 2026. Beginning April 1, 2026, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) will begin implementing Arkansas Act 974 of 2019 along with requirements from HR1. This implementation will enact Mandatory SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), adults with school-aged children, and other individuals not otherwise exempt under 7 U.S.C. §2015(o). Program Participation and Referral Process • Mandatory SNAP E&T clients who are willing, able, and eligible to participate will, during their Program Eligibility Specialist (PES) interview, review available E&T providers in their county of residence. Together, the PES and client will select the provider for referral. • Providers will be permitted to serve clients in their county of residence as well as in counties that directly border the provider’s county. • The ARIES system will continue referring all willing, able, and eligible mandatory clients to participate in SNAP Works. Referrals will no longer follow the round-robin assignment method; instead, all tasks will be issued as provider-specific referrals. Voluntary Participants Transition Policy • Voluntary participants meeting program requirements as of April 1, 2026 will be permitted to remain in SNAP E&T until they are no longer meeting program requirements. • If a participant loses SNAP eligibility after April 1, 2026, they will also lose eligibility for SNAP E&T services as a voluntary referral. Should they later reapply or regain SNAP eligibility, their E&T participation status will be determined based on their current eligibility at the time of reapplication, regardless of prior program status. Sanction Policy for Non-Participation • If a mandatory client declines participation during the PES interview, no referral will be made, and a sanction will be imposed immediately. • Sanctions will be applied as follows: 1. First occurrence: 1-month sanction 2. Second occurrence: 6-month sanction 3. Third occurrence: 12-month sanction Proposed E&T Providers for FFY 2026 • Adult Education Services • Arkansas Northeastern College • Arkansas Employment Career Center • Gateway Allied Health • Shorter College The State Agency remains open to establishing new provider agreements under revised program expectations. Conversely, the State Agency reserves the right to decline funding to proposed providers unable to meet program requirements. Planned Federal Compliance The State Agency is preparing for the implementation of provisions contained in House Resolution Bill 1 (also referred to as the Big Beautiful Act), effective April 1, 2026.