Page 22
SCREENING FOR WORK REGISTRATION State agency eligibility staff must screen for federal exemptions from work registration, per 7 CFR 273.7(a). Describe how the State agency screens applicants to determine if they are work registrants. At application, recertification, and when household circumstances change, Oklahoma eligibility workers (EWs) screen each household member age 16–59 to determine work registration status under 7 CFR 273.7(a) (1). Screening is conducted manually using the USDA SNAP Work Rules Screening Checklist/Flow Chart and the OKDHS FS Quest “SNAP Work Rules Screening Checklist.” EWs evaluate whether an individual qualifies for an exemption under 7 CFR 273.7(b), which may include: • Age (under 16 or 60 and older), • Disability, • Working 30 hours or more per week or earning wages at least equal to 30 hours × federal minimum wage, • Caring for a child under 6 or an incapacitated household member, • Enrollment as a half-time or greater student, • Compliance with work requirements of another program (e.g., TANF or UI), or • Participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program If exempt, the exemption reason is documented in the case record. If not exempt, the individual is identified as a work registrant. This screening step is required at each eligibility determination and is documented in FS Quest. Oklahoma does not use an automated eligibility system for work registration; all screenings are performed manually by EWs. This screening is separate from E&T referral decisions and focuses solely on determining work registrant vs. exempt status, consistent with 7 CFR 273.7(a) and (b). How does the State agency work register non-exempt individuals? Non-exempt individuals are work-registered at the point of application, recertification, or when household circumstances change, consistent with 7 CFR 273.7(a)(1)(i). The process is as follows: The head of household (or authorized representative) signs the Responsibilities and Signature for Benefits form (08MP003E), which includes the statement: “I am registering myself and/or any other household members between 16 and 59 years of age for work unless I or other household members meet exemption criteria. I understand if I check No, required work registrants in my household will not be included in food benefits.” Work registration is also discussed during the eligibility interview by the EW and documented in the case file. The EW records the determination in the case record and explains rights and responsibilities, including ABAWD rules (when applicable), good cause, and consequences of non-compliance. If an individual refuses to register, they are ineligible for SNAP, as work registration is a condition of eligibility (not a sanction applied at application). If good cause or an exemption is later identified, the EW updates the case record accordingly. 1/29/26, 9:31 AM State Plan OK FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-okfy26stateplan//index.html 22/156