Page 45

PROVIDER DETERMINATIONS In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(18) a State agency must ensure that E&T providers are informed of their authority and responsibility to determine if an individual is ill-suited for a particular E&T component. Describe the process used by E&T providers to communicate provider determinations to the State agency. The provider determination (PD) process includes: 1. The LWDB utilizes policy information and technical guidance issued by FloridaCommerce and CareerSource Florida to determine whether a participant is a good fit for a particular SNAP E&T component. 2. The LWDB discusses concerns with the participant and documents the details via case notes in OSST. 3. The LWDB assesses the participant for fit against all offered SNAP E&T components, activities, and providers and only refers the participant for a provider determination if the participant is found to be ill-suited for all services. 4. If the LWDB is not able to offer another program component/activity that would allow the participant to be successful, the LWDB completes the PD Form. 5. The completed PD form is emailed to DCF for review and a determination of next steps. Once DCF makes a decision, DCF notifies the participant via letter within 10 days providing an explanation that the ABAWD will start accruing countable months towards their 3-month participation time limit to receive food assistance. This count will begin with the next full benefit month after the month the ABAWD was notified of the provider determination unless the ABAWD meets work requirements on their own, has good cause, or becomes exempt. With regard to individuals subject to general work requirements between the ages of 18 and 59 who do not have children under age 18 in the home, if the LWDB makes a provider determination for this group of mandatory E&T participants, the participant status will be updated accordingly. Time limits only apply to ABAWDs. Customers will be rescreened and reevaluated at the next recertification or sooner if requested. If it is decided that the participant wants to continue to participate in the E&T program, a referral is sent to FloridaCommerce through the FLORIDA/OSST interface for engagement. Describe how the State agency notifies clients of a provider determination. Once DCF has received notification of a provider determination from the LWDB, the eligibility staff must notify the individual within 10 days. This action must be completed in writing and must be documented in the case record comments. The notification to the ABAWD or mandatory work registrant must include the following information: • The provider determination. • Next steps DCF will take as a result of this determination. • Contact information for DCF if additional information is needed. • Explanation that this is not a sanction. • Explanation to ABAWD about how the determination affects the time-limited months. The ABAWD will start accruing countable months toward their 3-month participation time limit to receive food assistance. If an ABAWD or mandatory work registrant receives a provider determination from a LWDB, DCF updates the eligibility system with the appropriate provider determination code. This code sends notification to FloridaCommerce that the provider determination form has been processed and the individual no longer has to participate at the LWDB. DCF implemented a manual process effective March 2023 and issued a transmittal 1/28/26, 11:18 AM State Plan FL FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-flfy26stateplan//index.html 45/99