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iii. Reminder: program capacity issues should be addressed through communication and referral management and not through PDs.

If an EF PO encounters a scenario in which they are not sure if a PD should be made, please contact your Partner Liaison.

Employment First Program Enrollment

SNAP applicants/recipients will be considered enrolled in EF once a referral has been documented in CBMS by SNAP eligibility, received from the EF PO, and the following steps have been taken: ● The client and EF PO complete a comprehensive employability assessment. ● The client and EF PO develop an ISP based on the results of the comprehensive employability assessment, and the results are entered into CBMS. ● The client and EF PO agree that the client is able to participate in an EF activity (see Employment First Activities section for more details), and the activity is reflected on the ISP and entered into CBMS. ● The client is enrolled in case management and at least one allowable EF activity. Clients must participate in at least 12 hours per month across all activities and case management to meet the Level of Effort (LOE) program requirement. ● The EF PO offers or issues the client a reasonable and necessary supportive payment for the client to access the program.

Employment First Program Statuses

EF POs are responsible for updating the client’s EF Program Status on the Employment First Plan page in CBMS. See below for all applicable Program Statuses and the appropriate scenario(s) in which to use each status.

● EF-Referred: When a client's connection to the EF program results from a referral made by a SNAP eligibility team or another partner agency (after a referral by SNAP eligibility has already occurred). ○ Note: An EF-Referred client is not yet enrolled in the EF program. ● EF-Outreach: When an EF PO is actively outreaching to engage a client in the EF program. ○ Note: An EF-Outreach client is not yet enrolled in the EF program. ● EF-Enrolled: When a client has met all of the following criteria: ○ Been screened (and referred, if applicable) by SNAP eligibility to participate in the program, ○ Completed a comprehensive employability assessment (valid for 365 days), ○ Developed an ISP, and it is entered into CBMS* (valid for 120 days), ■ *For a co-enrolled client, see the “Co-Enrollment” section of this handbook for more information and guidance. ○ Enrolled in and receiving case management, Last updated: July 9, 2026

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