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State Plan NM FY26 - Amendment 1 Page of 46 99 PROVIDER DETERMINATIONS In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(18) a State agency must ensure that E&T providers are informed of their authority and responsibility to determine if an individual is ill-suited for a particular E&T component. Describe the process used by E&T providers to communicate provider determinations to the State agency. When a Provider Determination is suggested by the E&T provider the participant information is shared with the SNAP Work Program Analyst III via email and or SharePoint. The analyst will then review the four options a state agency has per 7 CFR 273.7(c)(18)(i)(B). These options are as follows: • Refer the individual to an appropriate E&T program component in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section. Before making this referral, the State agency must screen the individual for participation in the E&T program in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and determine that it is appropriate to refer the individual to an E&T component, considering the suitability of the individual for any available E&T components. In accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section, all E&T participants must receive case management services along with at least one E&T component; • Refer the individual to an appropriate workforce partnership as defined in paragraph (n) of this section, if available. Before making this referral, the State agency must provide information about workforce partnerships to assist the individual in making an informed decision about whether to voluntarily participate in the workforce partnership, in accordance with paragraph (n)(10) of this section; • Reassess the physical and mental fitness of the individual. If the individual is not found to be physically or mentally fit, the individual is exempt from the work requirement in accordance with paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. If the individual is found to be physically or mentally fit, and the State agency determines the individual is not otherwise exempt from the general work requirements the State agency must consider if one of the other available actions in paragraph (c)(18)(i)(B) of this section would be appropriate for the individual. If the State agency determines the individual should not be required to participate in E&T, the State agency must exempt the individual from mandatory E&T; or • Coordinate, to the maximum extent practicable, with other Federal, State, or local workforce or assistance programs to identify work opportunities or assistance for the individual. If the State agency chooses this option, the State agency must not require the individual to participate in E&T. A participant may receive a provider determination when the E&T provider determines the individual is not a good fit for the SNAP E&T component in which the individual is participating. The provider is allowed to make the following decision without NMHCA consent. However, the provider must complete the Provider Determination Form and place it on a shared SharePoint for tracking purposes. In instance where the SNAP E&T provider determines the participant is no longer ill-suited for the component, they’ re currently enrolled in the provider may switch the participant to another component they may be suited for within SNAP E&T. Providers have flexibility to use their own judgment to determine if an individual is not a good fit for their program. E&T providers must not discriminate against protected classes when making provider determinations. The SNAP Work Program Analyst III must review all provider determinations to ensure E&T providers are making reasonable decisions about which individuals are not a good fit for their programs. NMHCA must ensure SNAP E&T providers adhere to all Civil Rights laws. Please see 7 CFR 273 . 7 (c) (1 8 ) (i) (A) for more guidance. Describe how the State agency notifies clients of a provider determination. Once NMHCA determines that a provider determination is appropriate and no other components are available, the participant receives a Withdrawal from SNAP Employment & Training notice (ET002).