Page 43

NON-EDUCATION, NON-WORK COMPONENT: WORKFARE Description of the component. Provide a summary of the activities and services. Workfare is an unpaid work activity used to provide opportunities for ABAWDs to serve in a community service capacity in the federal, state, or local government or nonprofit sector. Workfare enhances an individual's employability by helping to develop effective work habits and basic job skills, including organization skills, problem solving, and basic math skills or to brush up existing skills needed for the work environment, through unpaid employment. The maximum number of hours is determined by the CAO, which calculates this figure by dividing the household’s benefit level by the federal minimum wage. Participants perform workfare for the number of hours calculated by the CAO and listed on the EDP. The maximum number of hours worked in community service, combined with any hours worked during the week by a participant for compensation (in cash or in kind) in any other capacity must not exceed 30 hours per week. The CAO is required to ensure all ABAWDs participating in E&T, including ABAWDs participating in community service, continue to meet the work requirement. E&T contracted programs open an activity code in CWDS immediately upon referral to indicate that the participant has secured a community service position. The E&T contracted program then uses a state-issued form, the PA 1938, to establish a non-financial agreement with the community service provider, in which the provider certifies the proposed schedule of service and agrees to report any change in the individual’s participation in community service within 10 days from the date the change occurred. E&T contracted programs follow up by entering the hours served in the position by the 15th day of the calendar month following the month in which participation occurred. E&T contracted programs are instructed to terminate the participant in CWDS if they do not meet the hours listed on the EDP. Participation hours entered into CWDS by the E&T contracted programs can be viewed by the CAO in eCIS the day following data entry. CWDS terminations are likewise automatically communicated to the CAO the following day. By reviewing the activity codes opened, the monthly data-entry of hours, and the receipt of E&T termination notifications, the CAO is able to take action to discontinue benefits to ABAWDs who are no longer meeting the ABAWD work requirement through participation in E&T, pursuant to 7 CFR §273.7(m)(9)(ii). Indicate the Target Population this component will serve. Select all that apply. ABAWDs Homeless Returning citizens (aka: ex-offenders) Single parents Students Those that reside in rural areas Underemployed Veterans 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. Participation in this component is determined at the contractor level. Each contractor may determine the suitability of a participant for this component. Will this component be offered statewide? Yes No 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 43/386