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NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance- TA and SNAP Employment Policy Manual

Section 385.6 – Page 2 Rev. 4/2025 Part A - The Regulations a) Assessments 1) The social services official shall ensure that an employability assessment is provided for each public assistance recipient who is a member of a household with dependent children and is: i) 18 years or older; or ii) is 16 or 17 years of age and not attending secondary school and has not completed high school or an equivalency program. 2) Such assessment shall include, but not be limited, to a review of the individual's: i) education level, including literacy and English language proficiency; ii) basic skills proficiency; iii) child care and other supportive services needs; iv) skills and prior work experience; v) prior participation in education and training; vi) training and vocational interests; vii) family circumstances, including the special needs of a child; and viii) eligibility for locally-available prenatal, infant and early childhood home visiting services. 3) The assessment shall be completed within 90 days of the date such recipient is determined to be eligible for public assistance pursuant to Part 351 of this Title. 4) The social services official shall encourage and may require a nonexempt recipient who has not attained a basic literacy level and who is not subject to the educational requirements of section 385.9 of this Part to enroll in a basic literacy program, high school equivalency program or other educational program in combination with other work activities. Any such assignment shall be consistent with the employability plan prepared pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section. i) Basic literacy level for purposes of paragraph (4) of this subdivision is defined as a literacy level equivalent to the ninth grade. ii) Such basic literacy level for nonexempt recipients of public assistance who have not obtained a high school diploma or the equivalent shall be established based on a test for basic literacy level as determined appropriate by the Education Department.