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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? Mississippi’s criteria for good cause includes any circumstance beyond the individual’s control including but not limited to illness, limited E&T slot availability, lack of adequate childcare and/or 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. MDHS’ DWDPM field staff, in addition to MDHS’ EAE County Directors, identify the number of available slots upon executing sponsor agreements. Designated EAE staff, including supervisors, are responsible for monitoring E&T participation and tracking slot availability. EAE staff will maintain a log of available slots within the county in the office. Through direct verbal communication with site providers, an eligibility specialist can ensure slot availability is accurate prior to referring participants for placement. Slot availability is monitored monthly by eligibility staff, and/or designated supervisors. Updates to the listings occur as often as sites are added or removed and are shared with applicable EAE and DWDPM SNAP E&T staff. The discretionary exemption is allowed for instances where cooperative ABAWDs cannot be placed due to limited slot availability and placement is deterred for a period of no more than one full-benefit month. When it is determined that the agency must use the discretionary exemption beyond one month due to limited slot availability, the ABAWD will be exempted from E&T participation using the State Exemption not to extend beyond the four-month certification period. If MDHS exhausts its support services stipend budget, the State Exemption will be granted. Use of the State Exemption will not prevent an ABAWD time limit from accruing a countable month. In areas where E&T is not accessible, ABAWDs will be given an exemption from participating in E&T but will be required to find another means to meet the monthly work requirement. Failure to meet the work requirement will result in the ABAWD receiving a countable month on the 3/36-month fixed clock. 1/29/26, 8:18 AM State Plan MS FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-msfy26stateplan//index.html 38/104