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receipt of SNAP prior to approval of the application for child care assistance. Whenever possible, verification of enrollment in SNAP may be obtained electronically from department systems. When it is not possible to obtain information from department systems, the applicant may provide the district with documentation that demonstrates approval for SNAP and must attest that they are still is receipt of SNAP benefits. Additionally, 23-OCFS-ADM-18 also announced changes to Title 18 of the official compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (18 NYCRR), Parts 404 and 415, that were made in accordance with the enacted New York State Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The income eligibility for child care assistance has increased from 300% of the state income standard (SIS) to a family income eligibility at or below 85% of the state median income (SMI) for the family size. How does the State agency ensure that the participant has the necessary participant reimbursements to begin participation in the E&T program? Individuals are notified of the availability of participant reimbursements at the time they are provided with the oral explanation of pertinent SNAP work requirements which occurs during the eligibility interview and again during the assessment process. Each participant’s reimbursement needs are explored and documented as part of the oral explanation of work requirements. OTDA issued the LDSS-4826C Employment Requirements for SNAP Applicants and Recipients - Script for Eligibility Workers to assist district eligibility staff in informing SNAP households of their pertinent work rules. This tool includes a section prompting the worker to discuss participant reimbursement needs for each household member referred to E&T and spell out the district’s responsibility to pay or reimburse participants for the necessary and reasonable costs associated with participation in a SNAP E&T activity (e.g., transportation, childcare, personal safety items, and other reasonable required costs, such as tools, books, and uniforms). Additionally, the LDSS-4826C contains language to inform the household that if the district cannot provide supportive services needed for an individual who is required to participate in an assigned work activity, they will be excused from participating in the assignment. Districts that have opted not to use the LDSS-4826C have been notified that in cases where one or more household members are referred to engage in a SNAP E&T activity on a mandatory or voluntary basis, the case record must be notated to describe the eligibility worker’s discussion with the household as related to each participant’s supportive services needs and the necessary and reasonable supportive services provided by the district to accommodate each individual’s participation in the program. If the household contains at least one member who is a mandatory SNAP E&T participant, in addition to explaining the individual’s right to receive participant reimbursements for allowable expenses related to participation in SNAP E&T, the eligibility worker is required to notify the household of the local district’s responsibility to excuse the individual from the requirement to participate in mandatory SNAP E&T should their allowable expenses exceed what the district will reimburse. 1/29/26, 9:29 AM State Plan NY FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-nyfy26stateplan//index.html 58/312