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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FNS 250 WORKFARE

1 Section 250 Change #17-2021 September 20, 2021 FNS 250 WORKFARE Change #17-2021 SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 250.00 WORKFARE PROGRAM The Workfare Program is an optional component of the Employment and Training (E&T) work program in which a county may choose to operate. Under this program, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) members ages 18 through 59 may volunteer to perform work in a public service capacity. The primary goal of Workfare is to improve employability and enable individuals to move into regular employment. Counties considering participating in the Workfare Program should contact the Economic and Family Services Section at (919) 527-6300. NOTE: All FNS members ages 16 through 59 are required to be registered for work unless exempt from work requirements. See Section FNS 240 Work Requirements for work registration procedures, work requirements, and work disqualifications. 250.01 PROCEDURES FOR REFERRING FNS MEMBER VOLUNTEERS TO THE WORKFARE PROGRAM A. At application or recertification, explain that any FNS unit member ages 18 through 59 can volunteer for the Workfare Program. Inform the FNS unit that volunteers are placed in public service-like jobs which are expected to improve their employability for regular paying jobs. Also discuss reimbursement of participant expenses and the monthly reimbursement rate. Refer to Section 250.05. B. Complete all information requested in Section A of the DSS-8616 FNS Workfare Referral for each volunteer referred. 1. Indicate the number of hours he/she is willing to work each month. A volunteer Workfare participant may chose to participate more than 120 hours per month. 2. Enter the referral date in “Date of DSS Action” on the DSS-8616 and send to the Workfare unit within 10 calendar days of the volunteer’s request or within 10 calendar days of the date the FNS unit is certified. Do not send the DSS-8616 until the FNS unit is certified. 3. File the duplicate copy in the case record along with the copy of the DSS-8640 Work Registration Responsibilities (see Section 240, Work Requirements).