Page 36

PROVIDER DETERMINATIONS In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(18) a State agency must ensure that E&T providers are informed of their authority and responsibility to determine if an individual is ill-suited for a particular E&T component. Describe the process used by E&T providers to communicate provider determinations to the State agency. As the SNAP E&T provider, DLR or Catholic Social Services has the responsibility to issue a Provider Determination if a participant is not a good fit for an E&T program. The E&T provider can move an E&T participant from any component to another component where the individual is better suited without needing a Provider Determination. In these instances, the Employment Specialist must inform the DSS Benefits Specialist of the participant’s enrollment in a new component. The E&T provider will share any information they have regarding good cause or exemptions to DSS as applicable. E&T Provider Responsibilities Before a Provider Determination is made, a meeting should be scheduled with the E&T Provider and the SNAP Program Specialist to discuss the specifics of each situation. The SNAP E&T provider has the responsibility to issue a Provider Determination if a participant is not a good fit for an E&T component. If advised by the E&T Provider and DSS SNAP Program Specialist to proceed, the following steps will occur: • E&T Employment Specialists must inform DSS within 10 days of making the determination to include: o The circumstances surrounding determination decision o A suggested next step for the individual Describe how the State agency notifies clients of a provider determination. DSS must notify participants (by mailing a notice) of a Provider Determination within 10 days of receiving the information. DSS Responsibilities: • DSS will notify the mandatory E&T participant in writing within 10 days of receiving the notification from the E&T provider of the provider determination. • DSS will explain what the provider determination is, the next steps DSS will take as a result of the provider determination. • DSS will provide contact information and that this action is not a work sanction. • DSS will notify if ABAWD that the ABAWD will accrue countable months towards their 3 month participation time limit the next full benefit month after the month during the provider determination notification process unless the ABAWD fulfills the work requirements, has good cause, lives in a waived area or is otherwise exempt. • DSS at next recertification will do one of the following: o Refer the individual E&T after screening for appropriateness o Reassess mental or physical fitness of the individual and exempt if appropriate 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 36/84