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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2014

ES OVERVIEW/SNAP E&T ORIENTATION

0028.09

MFIP: Participation requirements for MFIP Employment Services (MFIP-ES) overview and MFIP financial orientation differ. The MFIP- ES overview is conducted by the Employment Services Provider. Refer to the MFIP Employment Services Manual for more information on requirements for the MFIP-ES overview.

For information on MFIP financial orientation, see 0005.12.12.06 (Orientation to Financial Services).

DWP, MSA, GA, GRH: No provisions.

SNAP: The county agency or its Employment Services Provider (ESP) must provide an orientation to the SNAP E&T program for each mandatory participant referred to the program. The purpose of orientation is to explain participation requirements, describe available services, identify the ESP, explain that SNAP E&T can help able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) meet their eligibility and work requirements, and encourage the participant to move to self-sufficiency through employment.

Mandatory participants must be notified of the requirement to participate in an orientation. The state has developed a standard MAXIS letter for this purpose. If the county agency or ESP is unable to use the MAXIS letter, a locally-developed notice about the orientation must be provided to the participant. The notice must include the following information:

● The requirement that the participant attend an orientation.

● Date of the orientation.

● Time the orientation.

● Place of the orientation.

● Name and telephone number of an ESP contact person.

● A statement that SNAP assistance will end if the mandatory participant fails, without good cause, to comply with SNAP E&T requirements.

An orientation must be provided to mandatory participants within 30 days of the county approving SNAP eligibility. Mandatory participants who fail without good cause to attend or comply with the orientation are subject to SNAP E&T program sanctions. See 0028.21 (Good Cause Non-Compliance - SNAP/MSA/GA/GRH), 0028.30.06 (Type/Length of SNAP E&T Sanctions).

An orientation must be provided at least once during any 12 consecutive calendar month period. The 12 consecutive calendar month period begins on the 1st of the month after the month of eligibility, and ends on the last day of the 12th consecutive month.

The orientation may be done either individually or in a group setting. It may be provided through audio-visual methods as long as the participant has the opportunity for face-to-face questions and answers. See 0028.09.03 (Content of ES Overview/SNAP E&T Orientation) for what you must include in orientations.