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Describe the criteria for participation. Include the skills, knowledge, or experience necessary for participation in the component. For example, literacy or numeracy levels, recent labor market attachment, computer literacy, etc. OTDA defines in 09-ADM-16 “basic literacy level” as equivalent to the ninth-grade literacy level. An individual’s literacy level must be established based on a test for basic literacy level as determined appropriate by the State Education Department. Districts may choose to first offer the opportunity to enroll in an educational program to nonexempt recipients without a high school diploma or the equivalent and then pursue a test of basic literacy for those individuals for whom an educational enrollment is of interest and that is being considered as part of the individual’s work assignment. Alternatively, districts may choose to provide a test of basic literacy to all individuals or categories of individuals and then offer enrollment in an educational activity. Districts are required to: • encourage (and may require) nonexempt recipients who have not attained a “basic literacy level” to enroll in a basic literacy program, high school equivalency program or other educational program in combination with other work activities and consistent with the individual’s employment plan. • offer (and may mandate) nonexempt recipients who have attained a “basic literacy level” but have not attained a high school diploma or the equivalent the opportunity to enroll in an educational program designed to improve basic literacy level and/or prepare an individual for attainment of a high school diploma or the equivalent in combination with other work activities and consistent with the employment plan. Will this component be offered statewide? Yes No Projected Annual Participation. Projection should reflect a number of unduplicated individuals. 9,000 Estimated Annual Component Administrative Cost $15,036,823.00 Not supplanting. Describe how the State agency ensures that costs attributed to the E&T program are not supplanting funds used for other existing educational programs. OTDA has provided guidance to districts and contracted E&T providers to ensure compliance with this requirement. Each district is required to list contracts or agreements with agencies that provide employment services to PA and SNAP clients in its biennial Employment Plan. Contracts listed in the district’s employment plan must contain an assurance that the activities are not otherwise available from that provider on a non-reimbursable basis. Districts must maintain oversight to ensure that contractors perform in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of their contracts. Additionally, Venture V program providers are required to outline their compliance with the requirement in their contracts. OTDA will also conduct random reviews during vouchering to identify and address any issues in terms of the use of SNAP 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 76/312