Page 21

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

Section 385.9- Page 21 Rev. 4/2025 would need to meet the definition of community service and would not be supported by or system derived to be eligible for the deeming provision. The Welfare Reform Tracking System (WRTS) will not automatically deem an individual as meeting the core work requirement if the individual is participating for the number of hours allowed by grant divided by minimum wage for community service participants when this is less than 20 hours. Vocational Education - An organized educational program that directly relates to the preparation of individuals for current or emerging occupations that require training. Such programs shall include, but not be limited to, competency based applied learning which contributes to an individual’s academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills (e.g., Certified Nurses Aide training), work attitudes, general employability skills, and the occupational-specific skills necessary for economic independence. Vocational education may also include applied technology education. Vocational education does not generally include basic or remedial education or ESL but may include work focused general education and language instruction that is a regular or integral part of a vocational education program. Districts are responsible for ensuring that any such remedial education or ESL is a regular part of the program for participants with similar skill sets as the TANF-funded/SNA MOE client, is determined necessary by the program provider, and is limited in hours to less than one-half of program participation. Vocational education programs include the completion of activities that provide individuals the knowledge and skills to perform a specific trade, occupation or vocation. Vocational education must be provided by an education or training organization. Vocational education training may include placement in post-secondary education that is intended to lead to attainment of a college certificate or institutional certificate that designates the individual as having attained the competencies necessary to become employed in any occupational category or otherwise be comprised of educational and skills training designed to prepare individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations. Districts are required to determine that the vocational training is preparing the participant for employment in an occupational field in which they can reasonably expect to obtain employment. Districts may offer education or a course of instruction in financial literacy and personal finance which includes instruction on household cash management techniques, career advice to obtain a well-paying and secure job, using checking and savings accounts, obtaining and utilizing short and long term credit, securing a loan or other long term financing arrangement for high cost items; or participation in a higher education course of instruction or trade school as an allowable educational activity. Districts are reminded that to count toward federal work participation requirements as vocational education/job skills training, the education program must directly relate to a specific occupation or job. Additionally, no more than 30 percent of all countable participants may count toward the federal work participation rate calculation due to participation in vocational education or teen parents participating in high school or other education. • Participation in vocational education counts toward work participation rates no more than 12 months during the individual’s lifetime receipt of assistance.