14.4 Employment and Training Programs.

A. Work registrants not otherwise exempted are subject to the E&T program participation requirements. Such individuals are referred to as E&T mandatory participants or mandatory E&T participants. Individuals are considered to be meeting the ABAWD work requirement if he or she is working 80 hours per month or an average of 20 hours per week. Individuals working less than the required number of hours must be referred to E&T and have their work hours coupled with another qualifying activity in order to meet the work requirement. Failure to comply without good cause with the requirements will result in disqualification. Mandatory E&T participants who receive an E&T provider determination shall not be subject to disqualification for refusal without good cause to participate in mandatory E&T. B. An assessment must be completed to capture an individual’s educational background, current/past employment history, employment skills, level of work readiness and intermediate goals needed to achieve long-term employment. The assessment may uncover circumstances that would make an individual exempt from a work requirement or provide good cause for non-compliance. C. Case Management. 1. The E&T program must provide case management services such as: a) Comprehensive intake assessments, b) Individualized service plans, c) Progress monitoring, and/or d) Coordination with service providers which are provided to all E&T participants. 2. The purpose of case management services shall be to: a) Guide the participant towards appropriate E&T components and activities based on the participant's needs and interests, b) Support the participant in the E&T program, and c) To provide activities and resources that help the participant achieve program goals. 3. Case management services and activities must directly support an individual's participation in the E&T program. 4. The frequency and most efficient delivery of case management services is determined by the need of the participant. 5. Case management may include referrals to activities and supports outside of the E&T program, but the agency can only use E&T funds for allowable components, activities, and participant reimbursements. 6. The provision of case management services must not be an impediment to the participant's successful participation in E&T. 7. In addition, the agency may determine a mandatory E&T participant may meet an exemption from the requirement to participate in an E&T program, may have good cause for non-compliance with a work requirement, or both. 8. If the agency is unable to identify an appropriate and available opening in an E&T component for a mandatory E&T participant, the agency must enter an exemption. D. Components. Allowable Employment and Training Activities in which an individual referred to E&T will be required to participate in are: 1. Workfare 2. Comparable Workfare 3. Education 4. Work 5. Job Retention 6. Job Search Training Source: 7 CFR §273.7(e) Revised: July 2023