SNAP E&T Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training Orientation Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley 3991 East 29th Street Bryan, Texas 77805 979-595-2800 www.bvjobs.org Rev. 8/30/2016

Equal Opportunity Statement “The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as a recipient of Federal financial assistance is prohibited from discriminating against any individual in the United States, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation and belief.”

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) What is it?

SNAP E&T Promotes long-term self sufficiency and independence Prepares recipients for employment through work-related education and training activities Assists in gaining work skills Increases ability to obtain regular employment

Benefits of Employment Guaranteed income and possible benefits Positive Impact on your children Better lifestyle Independence and Self-Sufficiency Securing a place in a productive society Positive self-image Positive role model

Mandatory - ABAWDs Successful participation for ABAWDs includes being employed at least 20 hours or more or if not employed participating 30 hours or more in an approved service activity. ABAWD’s will participate for four (4) consecutive weeks, if employment is not found, Workfare will be assigned, your assigned caseworker will go over these details with you. Changed per TWC TA

Mandatory – General Population Mandatory work registrants are part of the SNAP E&T General Population if they are: At least 16 but less than 60 years of age; and Not classified as ABAWDs Those in the General Population who are mandatory work registrants are required to participate in SNAP E&T for a minimum of 30 hours weekly. If outreached and fails to cooperate with services, he or she must be sanctioned.

Participation In Texas, all populations can participate in any of the following SNAP E&T activities: Job search Vocational Training Non-vocational education Work experience Workfare (ABAWDs only) Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Weekly requirement * Your first job search log is due each Monday by noon. * You need to account for 18 hours if you start Wednesday, 24 hours if you start Tuesday. * Each Workforce Center has a drop box located outside of the office for your convenience to drop off documents after business hours. * For assistance completing your job search logs and/or timesheets please contact your Career Navigator Changed per TWC TA

Job Search Job search is a SNAP E&T activity that: requires SNAP recipients participating in SNAP E&T to search for employment; incorporates job readiness, job search training, assisted job search; and includes: job search skills training; information on available jobs; occupational exploration; interviewing skills; assistance with applications and resumes; job fairs Labor Market Information (LMI)

Labor Market Information Provides local, regional, state and national workforce characteristics and statistics, such as, area profiles, unemployment rates, workers vs jobs, top paying industries, top paying occupations For example Brazos County Dec 2016 Unemployment Rate – 3.2%

Emerging Occupations Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (25,000-60,000 year) Automotive Service Technicians (30,000-55,000 year) Licensed Vocational Nurses/Registered Nurses (28,811-60,000 year) Customer Service Representative (24,000-36,000 year)

Sanctions, Penalties and Good Cause

Sanction If you fail to cooperate with SNAP E & T requirements, a sanction is initiated within 7 business days unless you are unable to participate based on an extenuating circumstance and Workforce recommends good cause to HHSC. A sanction request may results in SNAP E&T closure. You may not participate further and no reporting is required.

Penalties 1st penalty 30 days without SNAP benefits 2nd penalty 90 days without SNAP benefits 3rd or more are 180 days for each occurrence A penalty must be served before benefits can begin again. You may appeal a penalty to HHSC.

Good Cause Good Cause is a determination that the mandatory work registrant’s lack of participation is warranted by illness, court appearance, no available transportation, or other acceptable reason. Your Career Navigator determines Good Cause for compliant SNAP E & T participants in accordance with policy and procedure. Good cause for noncompliant SNAP E & T participants is recommended to HHSC before or after a penalty is initiated. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley 9/20/2018

After You Go To Work……… You must report when and where you go to work to Workforce Solutions and to HHSC. Earned income may reduce the amount of SNAP you receive. Participants who work less than 20 hours/week must document the difference between 30 hours ABAWDs working 20 or more hours per week, but less than 30 cannot be penalized and are “safe”. If you work 30 hours or more you will no longer be required to participate. If funding is available, job retention services may be available for a limited time.

Co-Enrollment You are able to participate in more than one program at a time. SNAP E&T hours/contacts usually will also count for other programs. Each program will want to see the required information on their forms. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) can pay for training/education and any number of things needed to secure or maintain employment. * You may not be co-enrolled in Choices program.

You must be active in Work-in-Texas Assistance is available in the Workforce Center to complete a profile

Contact Info: Nicolee Hubley – Career Coach 979-595-2801 Ext. 2160 email: nicolee.hubley@bvcog.org Ericka Butler – Career Coach 979-595-2801 Ext.2142 email: ericka.butler@bvcog.org Thank You! Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact Relay Texas: 800-735-2989 (TTY) and 711 (Voice) and 979-595-2180 A Proud Partner of the American Job Center Network