301 Overview

All non-exempt SNAP recipients must comply with the basic work requirements, regardless of status (ABAWD vs non-ABAWD). Eligibility workers must verbally inform SNAP recipients of the work requirements using the Work Requirements Verbal Script at the time of application, review/recertification, and status changes. The date of verbal notification must be entered into the eligibility system and documented in case narratives.

The basic work requirements require all non-exempt SNAP recipients to:

• Register for work by signing the application or application for review, and

• Respond to a request for supplemental information regarding employability status or availability for work, and

• Report to an employer for potential suitable employment, if referred, and

• Seek and accept a bona fide Good Faith; without fraud or deceit; made with earnest intent. offer of suitable employment, and

• Not voluntarily quit a job of 30 hours or more a week or reduce work effort to less than 30 hours a week.

The signed application and application for review forms are the only verification Third-party information or documentation used to establish the accuracy of statements. needed to meet the requirement of registering for work. A signed application or application for review with The SNAP Work Registration wording is valid for 12 months. The responsible household member or authorized representative A responsible adult non-household member authorized in writing by the household to make application, receive SNAP benefits and/or purchase food for the household. who completes the application or application for review is attesting for those who are required to register for work. The previously signed application or review by the PI can serve as complying with basic work requirements for newly added individuals.

Unless otherwise exempt, all members of a SNAP household who are at least age 16 and not yet 60 are required to register for work.

Individuals that are subject to the mandatory reporting requirements losing exempt status due to any change Information that is different from what is currently used to determine eligibility and/or benefits. in circumstances must comply with the basic work requirements when the change is reported. A signed application or application for review signed within the last twelve months by a responsible adult or Authorized Representative serves as the work registration form. Eligibility workers must verbally notify individuals who have lost their exemptions status of the basic work requirements using the Work Requirements Verbal Script. The date of verbal notification must be entered at the SNAP Work Registration Screen as well as narrated in the integrated eligibility system.

Changes in circumstance that would require a previously exempt member to register for employment include, but are not limited to:

1. Loss of employment, change in hours, or change in earnings.

2. The sole dependent child leaves home; or,

3. Sanction from TANF Cash Assistance due to non-compliance.

Individuals who report a loss in their exemption due to a change, that is not a mandatory reportable change, refer to policy 1002- Reporting Requirements – Acting on Changes.

The E&T program provides participating individuals opportunities to overcome barriers, gain skills, training or experience and participate in activities that will improve their employment prospects and reduce their reliance on SNAP benefits. In North Dakota, E&T participation is voluntary. All participants that choose to participate in E&T will receive case management services, must participate in at least one E&T component, along with receiving supportive services. There are two E&T programs, BEST and NDWORKS A state-wide voluntary employment and training program intended to provide participating individuals skills and knowledge in job search training, job search activities, education/vocational training, and job retention to assist the individual in becoming employed and self-sufficient..

• BEST is a voluntary program operated in Cass, Burleigh and Morton County.

• NDWORKS is a statewide voluntary program.

   

A voluntary E&T Program provides individuals the opportunity to voluntarily participate in activities to improve their employment prospects by gaining skill through education, training, experience, and supervised job search activities. Individuals may volunteer to be referred and participate. An individual who is referred as a voluntary participant that then chooses not to participate, will not be subject to the non-compliance disqualifications.

Individuals who volunteer for E&T are referred to a voluntary E&T program based on the human service zone in which they reside. Those in Cass, Burleigh and Morton County should be referred to BEST, unless they request to participate in NDWORKS. All other counties will be referred to NDWORKS, since BEST is only available in Cass and Burleigh County.

Eligibility workers are responsible for screening individuals to ensure they are a fit for an E&T program. Screening individuals should consist of an overview of the E&T program along with the types of training they can receive while participating in the E&T program. Below are points of discussion and questions to ask the individual to learn if they are a fit for E&T:

• Training opportunities fall into three major areas: help looking for a job, basic education classes to improve reading and writing or to get a GED, and training for specific job types.

  • Ask the individual if any of these training opportunities interest them.

• Inform the individual that the State will reimburse them for expenses relating to their participation in E&T.

• Explain that E&T can help ABAWDs maintain eligibility.

• Ask the individual if they would like to participate and be referred and inform them that they cannot be disqualified for failure to comply.

• Once it is determined the individual is a good fit for E&T and volunteers to be referred, provide the participant with the verbal and written explanation of their work requirements.

   

Eligibility workers must notify all individuals in a household who are required to comply with the Basic Work Requirements. The Work Requirements Verbal Script must be used at the time of interview for application, application for review and at case status changes. This serves as the verbal notification of individuals rights and responsibilities of the basic work requirements. The date of verbal notification must be entered on the SNAP Work Registration Screen and narrated. The SNAP Consolidated Work Notice is sent as the written notification.

If the Eligibility worker determines the participant will be a good fit, they must carry out the following procedures for all E&T participants:

• If an individual wants to volunteer for E&T refer them to the appropriate E&T program using the program specific referral:

  • NDWORKS Employment and Training Orientation Referral, or

  • BEST Employment and Training Orientation Referra

• If an individual volunteers and resides in Cass, Burleigh, or Morton Human Service Zones (HSZ), the eligibility worker will refer them to the BEST program, unless they specifically request to volunteer for NDWORKS.

• All individuals volunteering and residing outside of Cass, Burleigh, or Morton HSZ will be referred to NDWORKS.

• Notify the E&T case manager if a participant's SNAP case closes, along with adding a narrative to the case.

• Take action when a provider returns an ill-suited referral.

* See the integrated eligibility system Help for generating a referral.

Voluntary participants must do the following:

• Attend the orientation session on the day and time scheduled.

• Contact the E&T case manager to reschedule if necessary.

• Cooperate and comply in all activities assigned by the case manager.

• Communicate on a weekly and monthly basis with the case manager.

• Report any change in employment or work hours to the case manager.

• Provide receipts to the case manager for any supportive service reimbursements that the participant may be eligible Having met the qualifications to receive a SNAP benefit by meeting the specified nonfinancial and financial requirements of eligibility. to receive by the close of business on the last working day of the month.

   

E&T case managers must:

• Conduct orientation sessions.

  • BEST orientations are held on a weekly basis.

  • NDWORKS case managers will contact the participant within 7 days of the receipt of Form SNAP Employment and Training Program Referral to schedule the orientation and provide the date and time of orientation to the participant.

• Inform the eligibility worker when a participant gains employment.

• Submit monthly program tracking spreadsheets to the SNAP Policy no later than 5 calendar days after the end of each calendar month.

• Complete a formal assessment and develop an employment plan specific to the participant. The employment plan must be updated monthly, at a minimum.

• Provide monthly case management, including weekly contact with the participant.

  • Part of case management is ensuring an individual is placed in a component within a timely manner and always participating in a component.

• Contact with the eligibility worker monthly to verify a participant continues to receive SNAP. Monthly contact can be via telephone or email.

• Submit monthly participant reimbursements requests along with receipts to the State Office using the SFN471 – Vendor Payment Authorization and Request for Payment for Goods and Services to the State Office no later than 5 calendar days after the end of each calendar month.

• If a participant become disengaged for a period of 30 days, they will be removed from the BEST SNAP E&T program. If at any point after those 30 days the participant engages, a new referral will be required.

• E&T case managers also have the authority and responsibility to determine if an individual is ill-suited for E&T services. If a case managers determine an individual is ill-suited, they can refer the individual back to the human service zone office. Eligibility workers will reevaluate the individual and take appropriate action on the SNAP case. This process is referred to as a provider determination.

• Make a recommendation to the EW if they feel that a participant is ill-suited for E&T services. If the case manager feels the participant is ill-suited, they must refer the participant back to the human service zone. EW's must reevaluate the participant and take the appropriate action on the participant's SNAP case. This process is referred to as a provider determination.

   

Participants in the E&T program may be eligible for reimbursement for supportive services. To receive support services, participants need to be actively engaged and participating in an E&T component. Reimbursements will be made to participating individuals during the month following participation and are excluded income.

Allowable expenses may include the following:

• Transportation (receipts are not required).

• Grooming and personal hygiene

• Job Readiness Tools

• License/Certification/Examination fees (receipts required)

  • GED, CNA, Professional

• Books and training materials (receipts required)