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

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

(Able Body Adults Without Dependents) Mandatory - ABAWDs Mandatory work registrants at least 18 but less than 50 years of age without dependents are classified as ABAWDs. (Able Body Adults Without Dependents) Receives only 3 months of benefits in a 36 month period, unless: Employed at least 20 hours per week; or *Successfully participating in SNAP E&T (or other allowable services such as WIOA or TAA) *Successful participation means the recipient is participating in E&T only, or is co-enrolled in WIOA or TAA for a minimum of 30 hours weekly. Failure results in denial or reduction of SNAP benefits.

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)

Participation ABAWDs Conduct 120 hours of job search If employment is not found at the end of 120 hours, participant is offered a Workfare placement.

Your first participation log is due this Monday 9am SNAP E&T participation must be documented. ABAWDs do job search for 120 hours, then a Workfare site is assigned. Workfare can allow for extended SNAP benefits. We choose the site. Workfare participation hours needed are based on the amount of your SNAP benefit. Thus a $145 benefit = 20 hrs per month. All SNAP E&T clients must document 30 hrs of job search and/or employment per week until 120 hours are reached to receive benefits and avoid penalty. Supervised job search must be signed in and out of the Resource Room by Staff. Your first participation log is due this Monday 9am † Workfare for ABAWD only

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 https://twc.texas.gov/ (Labor Market and Career Information) Analyze Trends in Texas Educational Resources Job Descriptions Top Paying Industries Emerging & Evolving Occupations Unemployment Rates December 2018 Unemployment Rate – 2.70% Labor Market and career Information can be found on https://twc.texas.gov/. On this website you will learn about trends in Texas, educational resources, local jobs and job descriptions. Learn about Top paying industries in our local area. It’s important to keep up with emerging and evolving occupations. For instance, in our local area we just learn that Manufactoring is an evolving occupation. The unemployment rate for Dec 2018 was 2.70%

Construction & Extraction Emerging Occupations Construction & Extraction Supervisor: Construction Trades/Extraction Workers $18.44 - $34.00 P/hour Electricians $13.67 - $22.55 P/hour Health Care Pharmacy Technicians $11.52 - $16.24 P/hour LVN $16.41 - $21.26 P/hour Office & Administrative Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant $18.70 - $28.84 P/hour Production Machinist $13.60 - $22.64 P/hour Installation, Maintenance, Repair Automotive Service Technicians $10.93 – $24.46 P/hour Industrial Machinery Mechanic $15.17 - $26.98 P/hour The Labor Market is the area in which workers compete for jobs and employers compete for workers. Labor Market Information provides local, regional, state, and national workforce characteristics and statistics.

Sanctions and Good Cause

Sanctions If you fail to meet your required participation hours or fail to turn in documentation, you must show good cause within 7 days or a sanction will be requested. A sanction request results in SNAP E&T closure. You may not participate further and no reporting is required.

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.

* You may not be co-enrolled in Choices program. Co-Enrollment You will be 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 information on their forms. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) can pay for any number of things needed to secure or maintain employment but especially training/education. * You may not be co-enrolled in Choices program.

Accessible Equipment TTY’s (Tele-Typing Device) Screen-Reader Software ASL Interpreters Local career centers must receive a 24 hour notice for ASL interpreters

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

A Proud Partner of the American Job Center Network Contact Information: Crystle Darnell – Talent Development Specialist 979-595-2801 ext. 2142 e-mail: crystle.darnell@bvcog.org Victoria Farr – Lead Talent Development Specialist 979-595-2801 ext. 2103 e-mail: Victoria.farr@bvcog.org Thank you! Equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Relay Texas (800) 735-2989,  TDD (800) 735-2988 Voice, TTY (979) 595-2819 A Proud Partner of the American Job Center Network