loading…
loading…
loading…
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING (SNAP E&T) RULES
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS, AUTHORIZATION, and ADMINISTRATION 1
DEFINITIONS 1
AUTHORIZATION 3
ADMINISTRATION 3
SECTION 2: PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY TARGET GROUPS 4
I. PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY 4
II. PRIORITY TARGET GROUPS 4
SECTION 3: SNAP E&T REFERRAL PROCESS 5
I. REFERRAL PROCESS 5
II. VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION 5
III. APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING 5
ORIENTATION, ASSESSMENT and INDIVIDUALIZED EMPLOYMENT PLAN (IEP) 5
SECTION 4: EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENTS 7
NON-WORK COMPONENTS 7
WORK COMPONENTS 8
EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS 9
SECTION 5: COMPLETION and DISCHARGE FROM SNAP E&T 10
COMPLETION 10
DISCHARGE 10
SECTION 6: SNAP E&T SERVICES FOR ABAWDS 11
SECTION 7:PROVIDER DETERMINATION 12
I. PROVIDER DETERMINATION 12
II. DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES 12
SECTION 8: PARTICIPANT REIMBURSEMENT SERVICES 14
PARTICIPANT REIMBURSEMENT SERVICE LIMITS 14
ALLOWABLE TRANSPORTATION RELATED EXPENSES 16
DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT 17
SECTION 9: PARTICIPANT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 18
SECTION 10: DISQUALIFICATIONS 19
DISQUALIFICATION OF VOLUNTARY PARTICIPANTS 19
GOOD CAUSE 19
SECTION 11: CONCILIATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS 20
CONCILIATION 20
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS 20
SECTION 12: CONFIDENTIALITY 22
authority and revision history 23
SUMMARY: This rule describes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) Program, which provides employment and training services for Federal SNAP Recipients. The goal of SNAP E&T is to assist Participants in obtaining sustainable employment that reduces or eliminates dependency on SNAP benefits. The rules prescribe program authorization, goals, administration, Participant eligibility, services and support services, and operating procedures and standards for SNAP E&T Providers.
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS, AUTHORIZATION, and ADMINISTRATION
DEFINITIONS
Able-bodied Adult without Dependent (ABAWD) - a Recipient as defined in 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 301 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules Manual, Section 111-7.
Assessment - An individualized process designed to integrate the array of SNAP E&T services with educational and vocational needs, including review of employment and educational history, interests and abilities of each Participant, barriers to employment, and support service needs to develop an Individualized Employment Plan as an interactive process between the Participant and the SNAP E&T Provider.
Basic Skills Education - educational or basic skills training such as Adult Basic Education (ABE), basic literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), high school equivalency (HiSET), and other remedial courses necessary for job attainment and/or prerequisites or necessary for participating in post-secondary education consistent with 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2)(vi)(A).
Case Management - As outlined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(1), Case Management is the ongoing process of interactive communication, identifying the needs of the Participant, coordinating services appropriate to meet those needs, and monitoring and supporting the Participant’s progress through SNAP E&T so that the Participant can gain the skills and support to obtain employment. Case management must be provided by all SNAP E&T Providers in addition to at least one SNAP E&T service component.
Component - Educational, training, or employment activities approved by SNAP E&T and delivered to meet federally defined standards for SNAP Employment and Training programs in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2). SNAP E&T services may include Non-work, Work, and Educational Components. SNAP E&T Providers are not required to deliver all service components.
Educational Component - is a SNAP E&T component as defined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2) that includes basic skills education, vocational, or post-secondary undergraduate education for specific high skilled jobs. Educational Components may be counted as a qualifying ABAWD Work Component when the ABAWD is enrolled at least 20 hours per week or half-time in an Educational Component, as determined by the educational institution.
Fair Hearing (also known as an Administrative Hearing) - A hearing conducted before a Department of Health and Human Services hearings officer in which a Participant has an opportunity to dispute a decision made by the Department. The hearing officer’s decision is binding on all parties and is subject to possible Superior Court review.
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) - The division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that works to end hunger and obesity through the administration of federal nutrition assistance programs including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and school meals in partnership with State and Tribal governments.
Individualized Employment Plan (IEP) - An agreement between the SNAP E&T Provider and the Participant, which outlines the responsibilities of each party, including services to be provided by SNAP E&T, and actions to be taken by the Participant to achieve a short or long-term employment related goal identified in the IEP.
Job Retention - A SNAP E&T component as defined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2)(viii) that provides case management and Participant Reimbursements and other SNAP E&T services to Participants who obtain a job through their SNAP E&T enrollment.
Non-work Component - includes federally defined Job Search, Job Search Training, and Job Retention Component services as defined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2) typically used to help a Participant achieve job readiness or retain employment attained through SNAP E&T participation.
Participant - a federal SNAP Recipient who is enrolled in SNAP E&T services.
Participant Reimbursement - Reimbursements pursuant to 7 C.F.R. § 273.7(d)(4) for services or items such as transportation, childcare, books, tools, equipment or work clothing that are necessary for the Participant to complete the SNAP E&T component in which they are enrolled and have identified in their IEP. Participant Reimbursement costs can only be reimbursed by the Department directly to the SNAP E&T Provider or Participant.
Provider (SNAP E&T Provider) - either the Department or a contracted vendor that provides SNAP E&T services.
Provider Determination - is when the SNAP E&T Provider determines the individual is not a good fit for the SNAP E&T component in which the individual is participating pursuant to 7 C.F.R. § 273.7(c)(18). SNAP E&T Providers have the authority and responsibility to make this determination based on assessment and participation and notify the Department so that the Participant can be notified and other SNAP E&T options explored.
Qualifying Component - an Educational or Work Component pursuant to 7 C.F.R. § 273.7(e)(2) that may be used toward ABAWD work requirements.
Recipient - an eligible individual included in a SNAP household and currently receiving or enrolled for SNAP benefits.
Work Component - an employment and training service component as defined in 7 C.F.R. § 273.7(e)(2) that qualifies for federally defined standards to meet ABAWD work requirements. Work Components include apprenticeships, Job Retention, workfare, and work experience.
Work Registrant - a Recipient between the ages of 16-59 who is subject to the federal work requirements identified in 7 C.F.R. § 273.7(a)(1)(i-vii).
II. AUTHORIZATION
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence, is authorized to operate the SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program for SNAP Recipients under provisions of the federal Food Stamp Act of 1977 (P.L. 93-133, Section 17), as amended, which is contained in Title 7 United States Code §2015(d)(4). It is authorized under Maine Law at 22 M.R.S. § 3104. It is governed by regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, as set forth at 7 C.F.R. § 273.7.
III. ADMINISTRATION
USDA FNS - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is the federal government body that has regulatory oversight, provides the federal portion of funding, and approves annual program plans for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program.
DHHS/OFI - The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the state agency designated by the USDA/FNS for the administration of SNAP and SNAP E&T. Within DHHS, the program is administered by the Office for Family Independence (OFI). OFI may provide SNAP E&T services or may contract with SNAP E&T Providers to administer SNAP E&T services subject to the requirements in this rule.
SERVICE AREA - SNAP E&T services may have limited availability throughout the state, depending on where the Department has SNAP E&T Providers available to deliver services.
FUNDING - Services are limited to the extent that program funding and resources permit.
SECTION 2: PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY AND PRIORITY TARGET GROUPS
PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for SNAP E&T services, Recipients must:
be receiving or enrolled for federal SNAP benefits in the State of Maine and be included in the federal SNAP household;
not receiving TANF benefits;
be aged 16 or older;
able to work in the field for which they are training, and
be residing within a one-hour one-way drive (60 miles) or commute to the location of SNAP E&T services or training to be provided, if such services require onsite participation.
Eligibility is also based on availability of funds and availability of SNAP E&T Providers in the area where the Recipient resides.
PRIORITY TARGET GROUPS
Because funding for SNAP E&T services is limited based on FNS approval of an annual plan and availability of federal funding, SNAP E&T Providers must enroll Participants based on the following priorities:
A. The first priority for SNAP E&T is to provide employment and training services to SNAP Recipients who are subject to federal work requirements set forth in 7 C.F.R. § 273.7, including mandatory work registrants, also as outlined in Sections 111-5 and 111-6 of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules, 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 301, and able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDS), as defined in 7 C.F.R. § 273.24 and in Section 111-7 of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules, 10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 301.
B. If funding is available, SNAP E&T Providers may enroll SNAP Recipients who are otherwise eligible for SNAP E&T but currently exempted from work requirements in employment and training services, so long as the Participant’s goal is to obtain a job, and the assessment conducted by the SNAP E&T Provider and identified in the Individualized Employment Plan determines that employment can be realistically obtained within one year of starting services or upon completion of the employment and training program.
SECTION 3: SNAP E&T REFERRAL PROCESS
REFERRAL PROCESS
SNAP Recipients may be recruited by the SNAP E&T Provider or be referred to the SNAP E&T Provider by the Department or other community agencies. SNAP E&T Providers must determine that the Recipient is currently receiving or enrolled for SNAP benefits and eligible to participate prior to enrolling a Participant.
SNAP Recipientss may also be referred to Provider agencies by the Department.
Enrollment in SNAP E&T is determined by the Department upon review of eligibility and assessment information gathered by Providers. The Department makes final determination of eligibility.
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
Eligible SNAP Recipients may voluntarily participate in SNAP E&T services where available. All SNAP E&T services are voluntary. A decision to not participate or to disenroll has no impact on continued receipt of SNAP benefits.
APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING
Participants are expected to keep all appointments scheduled by SNAP E&T Providers unless there is Good Cause for absence. Participants may be discharged from SNAP E&T by the SNAP E&T Provider if they fail to keep appointments or participate in SNAP E&T activities identified in their IEP.
ORIENTATION, ASSESSMENT and INDIVIDUALIZED EMPLOYMENT PLAN (IEP)
ORIENTATION
SNAP E&T Participants must be informed by the SNAP E&T Provider what services and Participant Reimbursements they may be eligible for and must sign a Participation Agreement that outlines SNAP E&T services and program rules and their rights and responsibilities. Participants must also sign an Authorization to Release Information Form allowing the Department and SNAP E&T Providers to share ongoing information necessary for SNAP E&T participation.
ASSESSMENT
SNAP E&T Participants and Providers must review the Participant's education and employment history, employment and training interests, barriers to employment, and Participant Reimbursement needs (e.g., dependent care and transportation) as part of the assessment process.
C. INDIVIDUALIZED EMPLOYMENT PLAN (IEP)
SNAP E&T Providers complete an Individualized Employment Plan (IEP) with the Participant based upon information obtained during the assessment to determine what services and Participant Reimbursements will be provided. The IEP is developed for the time period necessary to accomplish steps to attain the goals of the IEP. The IEP must be amended when there is a change in circumstances affecting progress, or there is a change in goals or services. The IEP lists the training and employment related activities in which the Participant will engage, as well as performance expectations. The IEP, also, identifies Participant Reimbursements necessary to assist in completing training goals. The IEP is updated and amended as necessary, and at a minimum, updated every six months.
SECTION 4: EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENTS
Employment and training service components are defined in 7 C.F.R. § 273.7(e)(2) and may be limited in availability to the extent that SNAP E&T Providers deliver specific service components in specific geographic locations.
SNAP E&T services that may be delivered are categorized as Non-work Components, Work Components, and Educational Components. All SNAP E&T Providers are required to provide case management services to SNAP E&T Participants during their SNAP E&T participation, which requires at a minimum monthly contact with SNAP E&T Participants to track and coach progress related to SNAP E&T participation. SNAP E&T Participants may be co-enrolled with more than one SNAP E&T Provider only when the providers are delivering separate components of services as listed below to the Participant. (E.g. a Participant may have their case management and Job Search Training Component reimbursed by one provider and their Educational Component by another.) SNAP E&T Participants may not receive the same component of service from more than one SNAP E&T Provider in the same month, and in the event that more than one Provider offers that component of service, the Participant may select the Provider of their choice.
The following employment and training service components may be delivered:
I. NON-WORK COMPONENTS
A. Job Search Training
Job Search Training is a component that assists Participants to become job ready by teaching job seeking techniques and working with Participants to increase their self-confidence and job search motivation. The component may include job skills assessments beyond the initial assessment, job clubs, and other employment related training. Job Search Training may also have specific activities to assist Participants who have not recently been in the workforce or are from a different culture. Necessary Job Search Training services are identified on an individual basis and may also include but are not limited to interview workshops, resume writing, Maine JobLink registration to apply for jobs online, and job searching activities. Depending on needs, some Participants may receive more intensive services to help them become work ready, including time management, budgeting, or assistance with transportation.
B. Job Search
Job Search is the component that requires job ready Participants to contact a minimum of three employers per week regarding potential employment and keep a job search log. Job Search must be a supervised activity in order to meet federal requirements outlined in 7 C.F.R. § 273.7 (e)(2).
The component allows the Participant to conduct job searches independently or within a group setting, and includes case management from the SNAP E&T Provider to support Job Search activities.
C. Job Retention
Job Retention services pursuant to 7 C.F.R. § 273.7(e)(2)(viii) provide case management and Participant Reimbursements for Recipients who have obtained a job through working with the SNAP E&T Provider. Job Retention services can typically be provided for a minimum of 30 days up to 90 days after starting a job that was obtained through participation in SNAP E&T. Maine received approval from FNS on August 13, 2020 to expand the duration of Job Retention services to a maximum of 365 days effective October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2024. The Department received renewal approval for the Job Retention waiver from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2029. This component allows case management services and some Participant Reimbursements for equipment, tools, uniforms, childcare, relocation assistance, and transportation to support the participant in retaining a job.
ABAWDs are limited to a maximum of two hours per week of Job Retention services that can be counted toward ABAWD work requirements, which may be combined with 18 hours of ABAWD work requirements.
Job Retention is the only SNAP E&T component that may be delivered to Participants who lose their SNAP eligibility due to excess income when they attain employment through SNAP E&T participation.
II. WORK COMPONENTS
A. Workfare
Workfare is a component in which SNAP Recipients defined as ABAWDs are required to work off the value of their household’s monthly SNAP allotment through assignment at a private or public non-profit agency as a condition of eligibility. The goal is to improve employability and encourage Recipients to move into regular employment. This can be completed by more than one household member to reach the total required hours.
B. Work Experience
Work Experience includes on-the-job training, job-specific training, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, or “earn while you learn” opportunities in a classroom or with an employer. The employer may be not-for-profit, private or for-profit. This component has the primary goal of developing specific work skills and employability of Recipients.
III. EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS
A. Basic Skills Education
Basic Skills Education as defined above may only be reimbursed for classes or services that are not otherwise available to the Participant at no cost. SNAP E&T Participants enrolled in Basic Skills Education through the SNAP E&T Provider may be eligible to receive Participant Reimbursements for services necessary to complete the Basic Skills Component even when that course is funded by another source, e.g., high school equivalency (HiSET) courses available at no cost to residents of a particular municipality. Basic Skills may include but are not limited to high school diploma or equivalency, English as a Second Language, math or reading to assist a Participant in becoming eligible for post-secondary education, or other classes or programming necessary to assist with a vocational goal.
B. Post-Secondary
The SNAP E&T Post-secondary Education component can reimburse post-secondary educational activities such as short-term vocational training, certification programs, and two-year and four-year undergraduate degrees in programs that have direct links to employment. SNAP E&T requires that Providers use the most economic and efficient services, encouraging Maine Community Colleges and University of Maine system programs over private for-profit institutions. Direct links to employment are determined by the State of Maine Department of Labor and are occupations defined as high-compensation occupations with demand for skilled labor as per the criteria outlined in 12-597 C.M.R. Ch. 2, and included in the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program (CSSP) Approved Occupations List at https://www.myworksourcemaine.gov/pages/competitive-skills-scholarship-program-cssp
SNAP E&T cannot reimburse tuition for students who have failed to maintain satisfactory progress (Grade Point Average falling below 2.0), are on academic probation at the institution in which they are enrolled, or have been discharged from other tuition assistance programs such as CSSP or Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) due to failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress.