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Describe the process for screening for direct referral to E&T, including the staff involved. At application and renewal, IMCWs inquire as to whether a SNAP applicant/recipient would be interested in volunteering for SNAP E&T. If an individual expresses interest, the IMCW will determine whether the individual meets the state-specific criteria listed above. Then the IMCW will discuss the E&T contractors available in the area with the potential participant, work with the potential participant to complete the EDP, and complete an appropriate referral. These steps are considered part of the IMCW’s certification/eligibility- determination duties and are not charged to the E&T grant. In some CAOs, this responsibility is assigned to a specific IMCW or unit of IMCWs (i.e. – a local “E&T unit”). In this case, the IMCW normally assigned to a SNAP applicant/recipient’s case will still make the inquiry described above. If the individual expresses interest in volunteering, they will be referred to the specific E&T IMCW or local E&T unit for completion of the remaining steps outlined above. In addition, reverse referrals initiated by an E&T contractor are routed directly to the E&T IMCW or local E&T unit. When does the screening for a reverse referral request occur? The screening for a reverse referral request occurs at the time that the request is made. Describe the process for screening during the reverse referral request process, including the staff involved. Each CAO develops a local procedure for handling reverse referrals. The E&T contractor typically sends the reverse referral to an E&T IMCW, local E&T unit, or an Ombudsman who will either process the referral themselves or route it to another IMCW or local branch for processing. The reverse referral is reviewed for eligibility and an interview is conducted. The IMCW works with the potential participant to complete the EDP over the phone or in person at the local office. Afterward, the EDP is either mailed, sent electronically to the potential participant for a wet signature or signed orally over the phone. Once the potential participant has signed the EDP, the CAO electronically refers the potential participant to the appropriate E&T contractor. Are participants informed about participant reimbursements before the individual is referred to E&T by eligibility staff? Yes No How are participants informed about participant reimbursements? The IMCW informs E&T participants of the availability of state-issued participant reimbursements, known as Special Allowances (SPALs), when completing the EDP and reminds them of the availability of SPALs at subsequent E&T-related contacts. In addition, contracted programs inform E&T participants of the availability of both provider-issued participant reimbursements (if available) and/or SPALs at assessment and ongoing case management meetings as new participant needs are discovered. If a contracted program does not offer a participant reimbursement directly and the needed item or service is not otherwise available to the participant at no cost, the contracted program will assist the E&T participant in requesting a SPAL from the CAO. As Pennsylvania operates a voluntary E&T program, all participants are already exempt from mandatory E&T so there is no need to further exempt participants from E&T if the cost of participant reimbursements exceed annual or lifetime limits. 1/29/26, 9:34 AM State Plan PA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-pafy26stateplan//index.html 16/386