Page 124

S N A P M A N U A L

124 • Foundational Cognitive skills • Applied Mathematics skills • Reading for Information skills • Locating Information skills • Critical Thinking skills • Problem Solving skills • Non-Cognitive skills (Soft Skills) These skills are defined as personal characteristics and behavioral skills that enhance an individuals’ interactions, job performance, and career prospects such as adaptability, integrity, cooperation, and workplace discipline.

4. Work Experience

The Work Experience component is being offered in order to enhance the employability of SNAP E&T Program participants. This activity is designed to increase participant job skills by providing actual work experience or training opportunities. Work Experience assignments may not replace the employment of a regularly employed individual, and they must provide the same benefits and working conditions provided to regularly employed individuals performing similar work for equal hours. The sites for Work Experience may be in the private, private non-profit, or public sector. Work Experience is a household responsibility, meaning that all non-exempt household members can share the hourly obligation over the course of a month. For example, a two-person household receiving $200.00 in SNAP benefits per month and living in South Carolina where the minimum wage is $7.25 is limited to a maximum of 27 hours per month ($200.00 / by $7.25 = 27.58 or 27 hours). The SNAP E&T program can apportion the hours between household members as it sees fit (1 person 27 hours or each person must participate 13 ½ hours). SNAP E&T will not require participants to work beyond that maximum.

5. Workfare

The Workfare component is being offered in order to enhance the employability of program participants. This activity is designed to increase participant job skills by providing actual work experience or training opportunities. Workfare assignments may not replace the employment of a regularly employed individual, and they must provide the same benefits and working conditions provided to regularly employed individuals performing similar work for equal hours. The sites for Workfare may be at a private or public non-profit agency.

The 20-hour per week participation requirement does not apply to the workfare component of the E&T program. Workfare participation hours are determined by dividing a household’s SNAP allotment by the State’s minimum wage. This calculation produces the number of work hours required per month.