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● not be subject to a strike or lockout For all workfare sites, clients receive a written notification that contains: ● Where and when to report ● The workfare site supervisor’s name and phone number ● The job description ● The number of required hours ● The penalty for program non-compliance ● notification of eligibility ● The client’s specific responsibilities ● Information on reimbursement for travel and other participation-related costs (that are covered through Section 20 Optional Workfare Participant reimbursements). Required monthly workfare hours are determined by dividing the entire SNAP household grant by the prevailing Colorado minimum or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher. This year, the Colorado minimum wage is higher. Fractions of hours are always rounded down. The required hours cannot exceed eight hours per day or 30 hours per week. Workers’ compensation is provided at all sites either by the individual workfare site or by the county DHS where the program operates.

Workfare coordinators monitor attendance and progress for all clients at least monthly. Interactive monthly follow-up groups can be offered as part of the Section 20 Optional Workfare Program. Follow-up groups can include client networking, a continuation of job-seeking skills, guest speakers, including employers that are currently hiring, and peer support and encouragement. Workfare site timesheets may also be collected at the monthly meetings. Client reimbursement for transportation or other needs that are reasonable and necessary (e.g., tools, clothing, fees) should be disbursed based on the client’s assessed needs.

The timesheets include an evaluation form completed by the site director/supervisor, and case notes are created by the case managers and kept in the client’s case file. The combined timesheet/evaluation form serves as client feedback and assists workfare coordinators in promptly addressing placement concerns. Clients use this feedback when job searching to show potential employers their current work habits. Often, contacts made at workfare sites are used as job references for future employment opportunities. Any workers’ compensation deductibles incurred by the county department of human/social services because of a client receiving a workplace injury during participation in workfare shall fall under the 50/50 administrative funding rules. Lastly, county DHSs will support clients by assigning them to workfare sites in another county if the latter site better fits their needs than the one in their respective county.

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