Page 30

CONCILIATION PROCESS In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(3), State agencies have the option to offer a conciliation period to noncompliant E&T participants. The conciliation period provides mandatory E&T participants with an opportunity to comply before the State agency sends a notice of adverse action. The conciliation process is not a substitute for the determination of good cause when a client fails to comply. Does the State agency offer a conciliation process? Yes No Describe the conciliation process and include a reference (such as the URL) to State agency policy or directives. If a participant fails to participate with program requirements, they are sent a Notice of Failure to Participate (FPRT). DLR uses the DSS ACCESS system, immediately upon determination of non-compliance. The third party partner, if needed would send it manually. The FPRT schedules an additional appointment for the participant within 7 to 10 days, giving them another opportunity to participate, address barriers, or discuss good cause, and notifies them that their benefits could be affected if they do not keep the appointment. If the appointment is not kept, the E&T partner will notify DSS that the participant is non-compliant. Once DSS is notified of noncompliance, the Benefits Specialist attempts contact by phone and also sends a written notice to the participant. Contact is made to assess a participant's good cause for noncompliance with the work requirements (i.e. mandatory E&T). This attempt is narrated and a sanction is entered by the Benefits Specialist if someone is not reached or good cause cannot be established upon contact. If the participant appears for the appointment, the case manager/DLR Employment Specialist will discuss the reasons and solutions for the failure to participate, which is separate from the good cause determination made by DSS. What is the length of the conciliation period? The EABS will contact the participant within 10 days of notification of sanction from DLR, If the participant does not respond or does not have good cause, DSS will impose a sanction within 10 days of establishing that the noncompliance was without good cause. The disqualification period ends when the customer becomes exempt or the disqualification time period(s) have passed, whichever comes first. 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 30/84