A new SNAP E&T contractor. Work Ready will now offer SNAP E&T activities in select counties;

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1 DATE: February 11, 2016 OPERATIONS MEMORANDUM # SUBJECT: TO: FROM: Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) and the Updated Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Program Executive Directors Inez Titus Director Bureau of Operations PURPOSE The purpose of this memo is to inform CAOs of the opportunity for ABAWDs to meet the ABAWD work requirement through participation in SNAP E&T activities and updates to the SNAP E&T program, including: A new SNAP E&T contractor. Work Ready will now offer SNAP E&T activities in select counties; New SNAP E&T Project and Activity Codes will now separate SNAP E&T activities from TANF RESET activities; Changes in Community Service documentation. Community Service participation may be verified by a community service agency for up to six months at a time; New SNAP E&T enrollment and data-entry process. In addition to referring participants to a new contractor and selecting new SNAP E&T codes, SNAP Qual Codes must be updated when ABAWDs begin and end SNAP E&T participation; A code clean-up is required. Based on these changes, CAOs are required to complete a code clean-up for all current SNAP E&T participants. BACKGROUND Pennsylvania operates a voluntary SNAP E&T program; however, participation in a work program (e.g., SNAP E&T activities) or a workfare program (community service coordinated through SNAP E&T), is a means for ABAWDs to meet the ABAWD work requirement outlined in 7 CFR , and maintain SNAP eligibility beyond three months in a three-year period. The return of the ABAWD time limit, exemptions, geographic waivers and ABAWD work requirement is explained in detail in OPS DISCUSSION SNAP E&T and the ABAWD Work Requirement SNAP E&T volunteers, including ABAWDs, have the choice of participating in one or more of the nine SNAP E&T activities outlined in Chapter 535 Appendix A of the SNAP Handbook. Although Department of Human Services Office of Income Maintenance 433 Health and Welfare Building Harrisburg, PA

2 participation in SNAP E&T is voluntary, participation must be verified and documented in CIS at least monthly. Non-ABAWD SNAP E&T participants may participate for a minimum of 12 hours a month. To continue SNAP eligibility beyond three months in a three-year period, ABAWDs not otherwise exempt must participate for the required number of hours as follows: 20 hours a week in work or a work program; 80 hours averaged monthly OR Approximately six hours a week in community service: The number of hours required in community service is determined by dividing the individual s household monthly SNAP benefit by PA s minimum wage. New SNAP E&T Contractor An increase in SNAP E&T participation is expected with the return of ABAWD time-limited benefits. As such, SNAP E&T activities will now be available through Work Ready in the counties listed in Attachment 1. In areas where Work Ready isn t available, SNAP E&T participants will remain as self-directed participants, tracked through a CAO-directed activity. Work Ready activities include: Coordination/ Delivery of the nine SNAP E&T activities outlined in Chapter 535, Appendix A of the SNAP Handbook; and Tracking education activities for KEYS students attending one of the 14 state schools or 78 career and technical schools identified in the KEYS expansion OPS#####; Note: Students attending community college will continue to be referred to KEYS. NEW SNAP E&T Project and Activity Codes To best track SNAP E&T enrollment and participation, new SNAP E&T Project and Activity codes have been created to distinguish SNAP E&T from TANF RESET. See Attachment 2. Based on these coding changes, CAOs are required to complete a code clean-up for all current SNAP E&T participants. See Attachment 3 for instructions and details for this one-time code-clean up. New Community Service Documentation Individuals participating in community service may verify their participation up to six months at a time by having the community service agency complete the Community Service Verification form. See Attachment 4. The intent of the Community Service Verification form is to simplify reporting requirements for agencies providing community service slots to SNAP E&T participants, including ABAWDs. The CAO or E&T contractor will continue to data-enter participation hours monthly. New SNAP E&T Enrollment and Data-Entry Process When an individual chooses to participate in SNAP E&T, the CAO begins the SNAP E&T enrollment and maintenance process by completing the steps below: 1. Check for TANF participation. If the adult receives TANF, he is not eligible to participate in SNAP E&T. Certain adults in TANF child-only cases may be eligible to participate. See OPS Complete the Job Readiness Assessment. Considering the interests and skills of the participant, complete the Job Readiness Assessment (PA-1530) to prepare for selection of the appropriate SNAP E&T activity.

3 3. Identify whether the activity will be CAO-Directed or through a SNAP E&T contractor. If a referral to a contractor is being made, the contractor will coordinate services and verify ongoing participation. For CAO-directed activities, activity coordination and verification rests with the CAO and participant. KEYS Community College Contractors for students or individuals interested in attending one of PA s 14 community colleges. SNAP Work Ready for KEYS expansion students attending one of the 14 state universities or 78 career and technical schools and SNAP E&T participants (including community service) where Work Ready is available, see Attachment 1. CAO-Directed Activity for all other SNAP E&T participants. 4. Explain SNAP E&T activities, hourly requirement and participant responsibilities. See Attachment 5. Note distinction in ABAWD hourly requirement for community service vs. noncommunity service. 5. Select SNAP E&T activity. Considering the hourly requirement and job readiness assessment, the participant selects the SNAP E&T activity with guidance from the CAO. Attachment 5 lists SNAP E&T activities. 6. Complete SNAP E&T forms. In addition to completing the Job Readiness Assessment (PA- 1530), the CAO and participant will complete the forms below based on the selected SNAP E&T activity. Employment and Training Rights and Responsibilities (PA-772) Employment Development Plan (EDP) (PA-1531). The EDP must outline: i. Participation activities through CAO-Directed activity or through SNAP E&T contractor ii. Expected number of weekly hours of participation iii. Supportive services (special allowances) that may be needed to support participation Provide a copy of the EDP to the participant and contractor (if applicable). NOTE: If community service is selected, provide the individual with the Community Service Verification Form (PA-----) to be completed and returned by the community service agency. 7. Secure documentation of activity and initial participation for CAO-Directed activities. If needed, make a plan with the individual to provide documentation within 10 days of SNAP E&T enrollment request date. 8. Enter SNAP E&T Project/Activity information in CIS. CAO-Directed Participants: After all SNAP E&T forms are completed and signed and documentation of activity and initial participation hours are received, data enter the SNAP E&T project (SA) and activity and initial participation hours in CIS on the ETP Project Enrollment and ETP Tracking screens respectively. SNAP E&T Contractor Participants: After all SNAP E&T forms are completed, the CAO will make an electronic referral to the appropriate SNAP E&T contractor as follows:

4 i. KEYS (community college participants): The CAO will electronically refer the individual to the KEYS community college contractor utilizing the "SK" Project Code with the appropriate Project ID for the Community College on the ETP Project Enrollment screen. The Community College will be responsible for verifying, tracking, and data entering attendance in activities. The contractor is responsible for dataentering the activity information. ii. Work Ready (KEYS expansion students and SNAP E&T participants in Work Ready areas): The CAO will electronically refer the individual to Work Ready utilizing the "SR" Project Code with the appropriate Project ID on the ETP Project Enrollment screen. The Work Ready program will be responsible for verifying, tracking, and data entering attendance in activities. The contractor is responsible for data-entering the activity information. 9. Update the SNAP Qual Code. The SNAP Qual Code identifies the individual s ABAWD status and stops the ABAWD time clock if exempt or meeting the ABAWD work requirement. For SNAP E&T participants who are not subject to the ABAWD time limit (SNAP Qual Codes 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 & 09), do not change the SNAP Qual Code. For ABAWD SNAP E&T participants (SNAP Qual Codes 20 or 21), enter: Qual Code 06 for E&T participants other than community service Qual Code 07 for E&T community service participants 10. Each month thereafter, verify participation and enter participation hours in CIS for CAOdirected participants. The CAO must explain the monthly participation requirement with the participant. The participant must verify participation no later than the 10 th day of the month following participation. The Employment and Training Weekly Activity Verification Form PA may be used. The CAO must then data-enter hours on the ETP Tracking screen in CIS within 10 days of verification receipt. NOTE: For CAO-directed community service participants, participation may be prospectively verified up to six months, at the onset of the activity using the Community Service Verification form. However, the CAO must continue to data-enter hours at least monthly in CIS. SNAP E&T contractors will data-enter monthly participation for participants in contracted services. 11. Promptly close ETP screens and update Qual Code (if needed) in CIS when participation ends. The project and activity end date must correspond with the date the action is taken in CIS. If an ABAWD stops participating (SNAP Qual code 06 or 07), the CAO must change the SNAP Qual Code. If no exemptions are met, the appropriate SNAP Qual Code is 20. CAO Code Clean-Up Required for Current SNAP E&T Participants There are approximately 500 individuals currently participating in SNAP E&T. Of those 200 are enrolled in the KEYS program with the remaining 300 enrolled in CAO-directed activities. The CAOs and KEYS providers will receive a list of their respective current SNAP E&T participants on February 22, The actions outlined in Attachment 3 must be completed by March 22, 2016.

5 On April 22, 2016, a new list of SNAP E&T participants will be generated to identify individuals that have not had their Project Code and/or Activity Code(s) converted to the new SNAP coding. E&T providers and CAOs that have SNAP individuals coded incorrectly will be contacted to update the coding for these participants. NEXT STEPS 1. Share this Operations Memorandum and Attachments with appropriate staff. 2. Retain this Memorandum until the information is incorporated into the SNAP Handbook, Chapter Questions about this Memorandum can be directed to the Bureau of Policy, Division of Employment and Training Programs, at (717) Attachment

6 Attachment 1 NEW SNAP Work Ready Providers SNAP Work Ready Providers County Work Ready Program WR Provider & Physical Local 02 Allegheny Allegheny County WIA 02 Allegheny (City of Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc. 04 Beaver Beaver County CSP 06 Berks Berks CAP 09 Bucks Pathstone Corporation 10 Butler Butler CCAD 15 Chester Chester Co Human Services 18 Clinton STEP, Inc. Williamsport Allegheny County Dept. of Human Services Life's Work of Western PA 1323 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Community Services Inc. 249 North Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA County Commissioners of Community Service of Beaver County Center Place 131 Pleasant Drive, 2nd Floor Aliquippa, PA Berks Community Action Program 518 Washington Street, Reading, PA Berks Community Action Program 518 Washington Street, Reading, PA Armstrong County Community Action 212 South Main Street, Butler, PA Chester County Work Ready - Oakland Corporate Center Work Ready Program 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500 Exton, PA STEP, Inc. Clinton County Community Center 124 E. Walnut St, Lock Haven, PA Areas Served Allegheny City of Pittsburgh SNAP Project Code Project ID SR 0201 SR 0202 Beaver SR 0401 Berks SR 0601 Bucks, Dauphin and Cumberland SR Butler SR 1001 Chester SR 1501 Lycoming and Clinton 21 Cumberland Bucks, SR 1301 Pathstone Corporation Pathstone Corporation Dauphin and 1625 N. Front St Harrisburg, PA Dauphin Cumberland SR 25 Erie Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC) 30 Greene Community Action Southwest 36 Lancaster Lancaster County WIA 41 Lycoming STEP, Inc. Williamsport 46 Montgomery Berks CAP Montgomery 51 Philadelphia JEVS Human Services 63 Washington Community Action Southwest 65 Westmoreland Westmoreland Human Opportunities 67 York Community Progress York GECAC Work Ready Program 440 West 18th Street, Erie, PA Erie SR 2501 Community Action Southwest 58 East Greene St, Waynesburg, PA Greene and Washington SR PA CareerLink of Lancaster County EDSI 1016 North Charlotte St Lancaster, PA Lancaster SR 3602 STEP, Inc. Lycoming and 2138 Lincoln St, Williamsport, PA Clinton SR 4101 Berks CAP Montgomery 800 W. Marshall St., Norristown, PA Montgomery SR 4601 JEVS Human Services 112 N. Broad Street, 9th, 10th and 11th Floors Phila., PA Philadelphia SR 5102 Community Action Southwest - Washington County Greene and 150 West Beau St, Suite 304, Washington, PA Washington SR 6301 Westmoreland Community Action 903 East Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg PA Westmoreland SR 6501 Community Progress Council 226 E. College Ave. York, PA York SR 6701 SR

7 Attachment 2 NEW SNAP E&T Project and Activity Codes SNAP E&T Project Codes Project Current Project Code NEW Project Code eff. 2/22/16 CAO Directed A A KEYS (Community Colleges) KY SK Work Ready (Including KEYS Expansion) (n/a) SR 50/50 SNAP E&T (n/a) SZ SNAP E&T Activity Codes Activity Current Activity Code NEW Activity Code eff. 2/22/16 ESL Classes Adult Basic Education (ABE) / Literacy Classes GED Classes Advanced Degree Program (ADP) or Post-Secondary Education 15 (KEYS or non-keys) 87 (KEYS) 88 ( Non-KEYS) Community Service Skill/ Vocational Training 24 (KEYS or non-keys) 84 Work Experience or Vocational Work Experience 51 (Vocational Work Experience) 26 (Work Experience) 85 (Vocational Work Experience) 86 Work Experience Job Readiness Prep (28 or 43) Job Search (46 or 48) 46 or 48 89

8 Attachment 3 SNAP E&T Code Cleanup SNAP E&T Code Cleanup Current CAO-Directed SNAP E&T Participants: The CAO will discuss SNAP E&T options with the client. The participant volunteers to participate in KEYS or Work Ready program. The participant chooses to remain in CAOdirected activities. IF THEN The CAO will: 1. Close the A Project code. 2. Complete and send an updated EDP to the participant and contractor. 3. Complete an electronic referral to the contractor utilizing the appropriate Project Code and Project ID. The E&T provider will be responsible for opening the SNAP Activity Code (s). The CAO will: 1. Keep the A Project Code open. 2. Close all open activity codes utilizing close code 9: Complete. 3. Re-open the activity code using the new SNAP Activity Codes. Current KEYS SNAP E&T Participants 1. The KEYS provider will close : a. All existing activity codes utilizing close code 1: Not Complete. b. All existing Project Codes utilizing termination code 7: Other. NOTE: KEYS Providers will have 10 days to close the Project Code. 2. The CAO will create a new referral to KEYS (once confirmation of Project Code closure is received), using: a. SK Project Code and b. The appropriate Project ID for the community college. 3. The KEYS provider will be responsible for opening the appropriate SNAP Activity Codes(s).

9 Mail or fax this form to your local County Assistance Office. Community Service Volunteer Verification Form INSTRUCTIONS: Please mail or FAX the completed form within 10 days of receipt to the office listed above. See reverse for detailed directions. Questions? Call the Statewide Customer Service Center SECTION I. Volunteer Agency Information Name of Volunteer Birthdate Last 4 SSN Address of Volunteer City State Zip Code Name of Agency Agency Phone Number Address of Agency SECTION II. Community Service Activity Information Start Date of Service MM-DD-YYYY Expected End Date of Service* MM-DD-YYYY Transportation Provided by Agency at No Cost? YES NO Monthly Schedule of Service Monthly Schedule Instructions (Circle one) S M T W TH F S Estimated Weekly Hours 1. Mark an X on the expected days of service. 2. Enter the total weekly hours in the Estimated Weekly Hours column. 3. Total the monthly estimated hours. Description of Tasks Performed: Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Total Monthly Estimated Hours 3 SECTION III. Agency Certification COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that our organization is a nonprofit with 501(C) (3) or 501(C) (4) status and the above named volunteer is registered with our agency to complete community service for the hours and period as indicated above. I understand that this community service verification form is used to verify up to six months of community service participation. I also understand that our agency must report any changes in participation to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services within 10 days from the date the change occurred. X Signature of Site Manager Name of Site Manager (please print) Date Section IV. Reporting Changes (Complete this section if updating an existing form.) Mail or fax within 10 days from date change occurred. Actual End Date Other Changes (Please explain below) Signature of Site Manager Name of Site Manager Date MM-DD-YYYY X * No more than 6 months from start date. If community service is expected to continue beyond 6 months, enter 6 months from start date. A new form is required every 6 months.

10 Community Service Volunteer Verification Form Instructions An individual who is participating in at least 6 hours a week of community service (24 hours a month average) may be considered meeting the ABAWD work requirement and therefore not subject to time-limited SNAP (food stamps) benefits. This form is used to document community service participation for up to six months of participation at a time. If there are any changes in participation, e.g., the individual stops participating or participation falls below six hours a week, the agency must report this change to the Department of Human Services within 10 days from the date the change occurred. Who may complete the form: The form may be completed only by an organization or agency that is providing a community service opportunity to the applicant or recipient. Who signs the form: Only the site manager (or supervisor) who can attest to the community service agreement may sign the form. General form completion requirements: The information on the form must be complete and legible. A signature by the site manager (or supervisor) is required. Reporting changes: Complete Section IV and fax or mail to your local County Assistance Office.

11 Attachment 5 SNAP E&T Activities SNAP E&T Activities Activity Code Description SNAP E& T Activity Coordination Hourly Requirement 81 ESL Classes 82 ABE / Literacy Classes 83 GED Classes Coordinated through Work Ready Provider or the PA Department of Education, and local agencies in areas without a Work Ready Provider. Local programs for CAO-Directed participants can be found here. ABAWD: 20 Hours a week (may complete job search/prep up to 10 hours if hours needed), 80 hours averaged monthly. Non-ABAWD: 12 hours a month Participant & CAO Responsibility: Participant is responsible for : Selecting activity provider (e.g. school or community service location) Completing & signing E&T forms Participating for agreed upon hours each month. 84, 87 or or 86 Skill / Vocational Training (84) or Advanced Degree Program (87:KEYS; 88:Non-KEYS) Vocational Work Experience (85) or Work Experience (86) 90 Community Service Students are responsible for the direction of their education (including school and course selection) and all tuition and tuition-related expenses (these costs are not covered by SPALs). Individuals interested in community colleges may be referred to KEYS. Individuals interested or attending one of the 14 state schools or 78 career and technical schools under KEYS Expansion may be referred to Work Ready in areas where Work Ready is available. Otherwise, students remain in a CAO- Directed project. Coordinated through a SNAP E&T contractor. Volunteering for a nonprofit or doing community service may be coordinated through SNAP E&T and counted as an allowable activity. Work Ready or the CAO may work with individual in finding local agency. STUDY TIME COUNTS: Up to 2 hours * of study time may be allowed for each 1 hour of class to meet the 20hr weekly requirement. * 1 hr unmonitored study time + 1 hr monitored study time (as documented by the educational provider.) ABAWD: 6 hours a week; 24 hours a month Non-ABAWD: 12 hours a month Providing proof of : Activity registration (if applicable) Monitored study time (if applicable) Initial class schedule (if applicable) / participation hours Monthly documentation of participation by 10 th day of month for previous month. (E&T weekly verification form PA-1895 may be used.) Community Service Participants may verify up to 6 months at a time using Community Service Verification form PA---- completed by the Community Service Agency. Reporting changes timely (No later than 10 days after change occurred.) CAO is responsible for: 80 or 89 Job Readiness Prep (80) or Job Search (89) Self-directed or coordinated through local job clubs or a SNAP E&T contractor. NOTE: Limited to 10 hours a week for ABAWDs. May be used in conjunction with another SNAP E&T activity to meet 20 hour requirement. ABAWDs: Limited to 10 hours a week. May be used with another activity to meet 20 hours. Non-ABAWDS: 12 hours per month Explaining E&T Rights and Responsibilities Completing Job Readiness Assessment and other E&T forms with participant Issue SPALs (if participant is eligible) Data-entering participation hours in CIS timely for CAO- Directed participants.