12.15 Optional Workfare Program.

A. In workfare, nonexempt SNAP recipients may be required to perform work in a public service capacity as a condition of eligibility to receive normal benefit allotments. B. The goal of workfare is to improve employability and move individuals into regular employment. C. A SNAP workfare program may be operated as an E&T component, or it may be operated independently. D. If the workfare program is part of an E&T program, it must be included in the E&T State Plan. If it is not part of an E&T program, then MDHS must submit an Optional Workfare Plan. E. MDHS may implement a workfare program statewide or in only some areas of the state as detailed in its E&T plan. F. Workfare plans must be approved by FNS and any changes to the plan must be submitted to FNS through amendments. G. MDHS is responsible for monitoring the agency’s compliance with its workfare plan. H. The operating agency as detailed in the workfare plan is responsible for: 1. Establishing and monitoring job sites; 2. Interviewing and assessing eligible recipients; 3. Assigning eligible recipients to the job sites; 4. Monitoring participant compliance; and 5. Making initial determinations of good cause for household noncompliance. I. SNAP recipients must only be subject to one SNAP workfare program. J. Workfare job sites may only be located in public or private nonprofit agencies. K. The operating agency must notify MDHS of noncompliance without good cause by an individual with a workfare obligation within 5 days of the determination so MDHS can make the final determination. L. MDHS must notify operating agencies of workfare eligible households. The notice must include the following: 1. Case name; 2. Case number; 3. Names of workfare eligible household members; 4. Address of the household; 5. Certification period; and 6. Indication of any part-time work. 7. The hours of obligation if MDHS is calculating those hours or if the operating agency is calculating the hours to be worked, include the monthly allotment amount. M. Recipients exempt from SNAP work requirements due to complying with the TWP are subject to workfare if he or she is currently involved less than 20 hours a week in TANF work activities. N. Recipients exempt from SNAP work requirements due to receiving or applying for unemployment compensation are subject to workfare. 1. If such workfare recipient is unable to report for job scheduling, appear for scheduled workfare employment or complete the entire workfare obligation due to compliance with unemployment compensation, that inability will not be considered as refusal to accept workfare employment. 2. If the workfare participant informs the agency of a time conflict, then the operating agency must reschedule the missed activity if possible. However, if it cannot be completed before the end of the month, that must not be considered as a reason for disqualification. O. The maximum total of monthly hours of work required of a household is determined by dividing the household’s benefit allotment by the Federal or State minimum wage, whichever is higher. P. A participant may be required to work a maximum of 30 hours per week. Q. Workfare participants similarly employed with non-workfare employees must experience the same working conditions. R. Workfare jobs must not be related to any political activities. S. The operating agency can establish a job search period up to 30 days following certification prior to making a workfare assignment where potential participants are expected to look for a job. T. The operating agency must reimburse participants for transportation and other costs that are reasonably necessary and related to participation in the program. Source: 7 CFR §273.7(m) Revised: March 2022