Page 29

How many attempts are made to reach out to the SNAP participant for additional information? One Two Three More than three What is the State agency's criteria for good cause? Maryland's criteria for good cause is defined by the following: If the employment is an unreasonable risk to the individuals health or safety, if the individual is physically or mentally unfit to perform the employment, if the distance of the commute from the individuals home to the employment site is unreasonable exceeding more than 2 hours of travel time or the cost of the commute is unreasonable and unable to walk to the job site or have access to public transportation. Describe the State agency's process to determine good cause if there is not an appropriate and available opening for an E&T participant. Refer the individual to an appropriate E&T component. The DHS case manager may refer the individual to another E&T component; however, as a best practice, the DHS case manager is encouraged to consider if an individual who has already received a provider determination is a good candidate for E&T, or if the fourth option below would be a better fit. Re-assess the individual’s mental and physical fitness. If the individual is not determined mentally or physically fit, then the individual must be exempted from employment and training participation. The DHS case manager may also re-assess the individual for other exemptions from the individual work requirements, or the ABAWD work requirement, as applicable. Refer the individual to an appropriate workforce partnership, if applicable. If the LDSS has certified one or more workforce partnerships, the DHS case manager may refer an individual to a workforce partnership at the option of the individual. The State agency must provide individuals with sufficient information about workforce partnerships to make an informed decision about participating. Coordinate with other Federal, State of local workforce or assistance programs to identify work opportunities or assistance for the individual. The DHS case manager may decide that an individual with a provider determination would be better served by a program outside E&T or a workforce partnership. If the State agency chooses this option, the DHS case manager must consider granting the individual good cause from participation in the training program. If nothing is available, good cause is granted and the customer is later reassessed. 1/29/26, 11:10 AM State Plan MD FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mdfy26stateplan//index.html 29/298