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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. TDHS Eligibility Counselors (EC) screen work registrants during intake and renewal interviews and whenever customers request a referral to E&T. During interviews, ECs gather information about customers’ current circumstances and review case information (including automated alerts) to determine if customers qualify for any federal exemptions, explore any barriers to employment customers may face, and discuss any resources that E&T may offer to help customers overcome those barriers. ECs utilize the Work Requirements Oral Script as a guide to help identify work registrants and exemptions. Additionally, ECs explain the E&T program to customers, including participant reimbursements for transportation assistance, childcare assistance, school supplies, testing fees, uniforms, tuition assistance, and personal safety items and equipment. ECs ask customers a series of three screening questions to determine whether customers are appropriate for referral to E&T. These are: - Do you want to work or go to school? - Are you willing to commit your time to seek work or learning a new skill for work? - After hearing about the E&T program, are you able and willing to volunteer for this program? If a customer is deemed a good fit for the program and is able and willing to participate, an E&T referral is batched to TDLWD via overnight data transfer. During FFY 26, TN will modify the E&T referral workflow. TDHS Eligibility Counselors will continue to determine SNAP eligibility and share information about E&T during the eligibility interview, and ECs will ask applicants the following questions to help participants determine if they may be a good fit for the program: - Could you benefit from discussing some of your challenges to gain and maintain employment? - Do you need assistance with Job Search activities? - Do you need to obtain your High School Equivalency? - Are you willing to volunteer and commit your time to the E&T training activities? TDHS will provide enrollment information to customers interested in the program during the interview and within the Consolidated Work Notice. The E&T partner network will assess interested participants and, if appropriate, request a reverse referral to enroll the SNAP participant in E&T. What information does the State provide to a SNAP recipient to explain SNAP E&T participation criteria? Currently, TDHS Eligibility Counselors evaluate customers according to the Screening Process for Employment & Training within the Work Requirements Oral Script & E&T Screening Tools prior to referring to E&T to ensure only valid referrals are processed. If a customer is deemed a good fit for the program and is able and willing to participate, an E&T referral is batched to TDLWD via overnight data transfer. Following referrals, TDLWD Case Managers conduct a secondary assessment during customers’ Individualized Employment Plan (IEP) meeting. Due to the nearly $1M cut in E&T 100% administrative funding allocated to the State FFY 2026, TDHS will 1/29/26, 10:22 AM State Plan TN FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-tnfy26stateplan//index.html 20/108