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SCREENING FOR REFERRAL TO E&T The State agency must screen each work registrant to determine if it is appropriate, based on State-specific criteria, to refer them to the E&T program per 7 CFR 273.7 (c)(2). State agencies may operate program components in which individuals elect to participate, per 7 CFR 273.7(e)(4). List the State-specific criteria eligibility workers use to screen individuals to determine if it is appropriate to refer them to the State's SNAP E&T program. DSS Benefits Specialists will determine if an individual is exempt from participation in SNAP E&T. It is important for DLR Employment Specialists to be aware of these exemptions, as a customer’s situation can change. If the DLR Employment Specialist is working with a participant who meets an exemption, the DLR Employment Specialist should contact the DSS Benefits Specialist to discuss. After a participant is determined to be a work registrant additional screening is completed to ensure proper referral to an E&T partner. If the applicant is the head of household age 18 to 21 and living in Pennington or Minnehaha counties they are also screened for appropriateness to E&T by the eligibility worker. This screening includes a conversation with the applicant to determine job readiness. Eligibility workers use prudent worker judgement to make a decision at interview if the participant reports any barrier the worker deems appropriate to screen out of job readiness. At the time of the interview a warm handoff is completed with the participant to refer to DLR. Additionally, if a SNAP recipient resides in Yankton County at a minimum they are screened when offered E&T. If the participant expresses interest as a volunteer they also are screened for appropriateness to E&T. The EABS would consider the suitability of the individual for any available E&T component during the screening process. Anyone enrolled in a third party partner has already expressed an interest and will be screened for appropriateness upon reverse referral to DSS in the same manner as above. If at any time there is not an appropriate or available opening, DSS will exempt the individual until an opening is available. What information does the State provide to a SNAP recipient to explain SNAP E&T participation criteria? DSS EABS provides information about the local SNAP E&T partners’ office phone number and address at interview. Participants are informed about the timeline for contact/communication from SNAP E&T partner and what to expect from the process. This information is given verbally through the oral explanation of the consolidated work notice and is also given in written form on the copy of the consolidated work notice. Participants are educated on available activities and reimbursements for the program. How does the State document that the information has been provided? The eligibility worker will make note in the case file of the information being provided orally as well as maintain a copy of the consolidated work notice in the case file record to show proof of what was provided to the household. What is the State's model for screening and referral to SNAP E&T? Select all that apply. Reverse Referral Direct Referral 1/29/26, 9:37 AM State Plan SD FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-sdfy26stateplan//index.html 20/84