III. SNAP E&T Program Activities

A. Job Placement with Retention

Job Placement with Retention Providers must engage participants for 80 hours per month in one or a combination of activities for which they do not receive cash assistance. Approved activities include Basic Education, Vocational Training, and/or Work Experience. For example, a participant may be in Vocational Training for 40 hours, Basic Education for 20 hours and Work Experience for 20 hours, for a total of 80 hours per month. Basic Education and Vocational Training are described below.

Work experience is assigned to SNAP E&T clients to:

  1. obtain a meaningful work experience; or
  2. maintain or enhance existing employment skills.

Unpaid work is performed for public or private not-for-profit organizations (employers).

Employers must not use SNAP E&T participants to displace employees.

To Comply with Work Experience, participants work up to 80 hours per month, based on the amount of SNAP benefits received. Use the chart in WAG 03-25-05-a determine the number of hours required. Customers who participate in Work Experience for the number of hours required, meet the work requirements for SNAP benefit. Work Experience assignments are further described in Section V-K.

  1. Job Placement with Retention and Special Project Providers are to engage participants in activities which enhance their employability and lead to their transition to self-sufficiency.
  2. Job Placement with Retention and Special Project Providers may engage participants in Supervised Job Search/Job Readiness activities within their program designs. These activities can be required in addition to other activities when helpful to the participant's overall employability.
  3. Supervised Job Search - requires the participant, with staff assistance, to actively contact employers and seek employment. The participant must attend all scheduled meetings and must complete 20 employer contacts per month at State approved locations and where activities are supervised and traced in accordance with guidelines issued by the State. Employer contacts must be documented in writing. Participants in Supervised Job Search must be referred to register with the Department of Employment Security. A participant may only be assigned to Supervised Job Search for 8 weeks in a 12 consecutive month period as part of another countable activity.
  4. Job Readiness - may include training in preparation for work including following and accepting supervision, time management issues, appropriate workplace behavior, job seeking skills, learning to budget, establishing bank accounts, etc. A maximum of 8 employer contacts per month may be required. Participation in Job Readiness is for a minimum of 2 sessions per month for 2-4 hours per session. Participants may only be assigned to Job Readiness along with another activity.

Participant activity in Job Search and Job Readiness should be closely monitored.

Downstate Earnfare Providers may engage participants in Job Search activities within their program design. This activity can be required in addition to other activities. However, Supervised Job Search activities do not count toward the participant's monthly required participation hours. Earnfare participants do not earn cash assistance while in Job Search. A participant may only be assigned to Supervised Job Search for 8 weeks in a 12 consecutive month period along with another countable activity.

B. Basic Education

Information, referral, counseling services, and supportive services are provided to the customer. Customers may be referred to testing, counseling and educational resources at public community colleges, adult education centers, or state or local agencies, or to programs which sponsor such activities.

1. Approval Criteria

Providers assign clients who are determined in need of additional education to Basic Education. Approval is based upon the assessment of the following:

  1. The customer presents or is determined to lack literacy (i.e. cannot read or write or very limited ability of the aforementioned).
  2. the customer does not possess a high school diploma or a GED;
  3. the program will lead to unsubsidized employment. Consider the time required to complete, and the overall cost and quality of the program;
  4. the customer possesses the aptitude, ability, and interest needed for success in the particular education or training program (as determined by such factors as test results, educational background, and previous training);.the program is administered by an educational institution accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, or the Department of Registration, or is Work Investment Opportunities Act (WIOA) funded; and
  5. the program is administered by an education institution accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, or the Department of Registration, or is Work Investment Opportunities Act (WIOA) funded; and
  6. the customer will apply for any grants or scholarships identified by the educational facilities for which the client may be eligible.

The required hours of participation in Basic Education as a single activity are 80 hours per month. Study time does not count toward hours of participation.

As part of an Earnfare assignment, a client may be in Basic Education for less than 80 hours per month, as long as the total combination of hours (Earnfare and Basic Education or Vocational Training) equals the required 80 hours per month.

Employed nonexempt customers may take part in programs to upgrade their employment potential.

2. Entry Into the Component

Customers may be assigned to this component as part of their Employability Plan (EP):

  • after assessment;
  • when registering with SNAP E & T if they are already in an acceptable Basic Education activity; or
  • while in another component.

3. Component Requirements

  1. The customer is required to attend classes as defined by the training or educational facility.
  2. Missing 3 days of classes in a 30 day period without good cause results in a sanction.
  3. Curriculum changes may only be made with the prior written approval of the Family Community Resource Center staff. Curriculum changes must be consistent with the written goals of the training program.
  4. The customer must provide monthly proof of attendance and progress on the Monthly Activity Report (IL-444-2606).

4. Contact With Customers

Contact the customer monthly, if supportive service payments are issued. Provide supportive service payments for mandatory school fees, books and supplies and transportation. Before payments are issued, determine if the customer has applied for scholarships or grants and if benefits are being received. If benefits are being received, determine continued need for supportive services.

Customer contact consists of attendance reports, progress reports, group or individual sessions, telephone calls, on-site program visits, and written correspondence

C. Vocational Training

1. Approval Criteria

The Vocational Training activity is for customers who will benefit from short-term training to obtain unsubsidized employment.

The required hours of participation in Vocational Training as a single activity are 80 hours per month. Study time does not count toward hours of participation.

As part of an Earnfare assignment, a client may be in Vocational Training for less than 80 hours per month, as long as the total combination of hours (Earnfare and  Vocational Training or Basic Education) equals the required 80 hours per month.

This activity offers special time-limited services for customers who:

  1. can benefit from short-term vocational training (e.g., a person with the interest and ability to complete the training program and be hired in a position for which the person has trained); or
  2. are readily employable with the addition of short-term training (i.e., a training program for specific job openings which are available).

2. Entry Into the Activity

Customers may be assigned to this activity as part of their Employability Plan (EP).

3.  Activity Requirements

  1. The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the training provider.
  2. Missing 3 days of classes in a 30-day period without good cause results in a sanction.
  3. The customer must provide written proof each month of attendance and progress.

4.  Contact With Customers

Contact the customer monthly. Customer contact consists of attendance reports, progress reports, group or individual sessions, telephone calls, on-site program visit and written correspondence.

Consider the need for supportive service payments for mandatory school fees, books and supplies, transportation, and pre-training physical examinations.

If benefits are being received, determine the continued need for supportive services.

D. Job Readiness

Job Readiness activities are only allowable as part of another activity. Job Readiness can include counseling, job placement services, skills assessment, job seeking skills training, life skills workshops, phone bank skills sessions, and information sharing about the labor market. A maximum of 8 employer contacts per month may be required.

Participation in Job Readiness is for a minimum of 2 sessions per month for 2-4 hours a session. The length of time a person participates in Job Readiness as part of another countable activity may vary.

Job Readiness gives the customer a chance to return to work by refining job seeking and interviewing skills through intensive training.

  1. Approval Criteria - The individual must need help in obtaining job seeking skills, career planning, and interviewing techniques.
  2. Entry Into the Component - Customers may be assigned to this component as part of their Employability Plan (EP).
  3. Component Requirements
    1. Nonexempt customers are expected to take part in a full-time program unless:
      1. full-time program is not readily available;
      2. or part-time program is the most appropriate.
      3. The customer must attend all scheduled classes or sessions and make satisfactory progress as defined by the written policy of Job Readiness Provider.
      4. The customer must make a good faith effort to complete up to 8 employer contacts in a 30-day period, when required. Do not sanction nonexempt customers for failure to make the required number and types of job contacts if they have made a good faith effort. See PM 21-06-10-c for good faith effort.
    2. The customer must respond to a job referral, accept suitable employment and respond to call-in notices for interviews.

E. Supervised Job Search

Supervised Job Search activities are only allowable as part of another activity. Supervised Job Search is a customer effort, with Provider assistance, to actively contact employers and secure a job. A customer may only be assigned to Supervised Job Search for 8 weeks in a 12 consecutive month period as part of another countable activity.

Customers must attend all scheduled meetings, including pre-arranged Job Skills Workshops. The customer is sent a notice of all scheduled meetings. The meetings include a review of progress in completing the component requirements. Conduct job seeking skills exercises during the meeting.

Nonexempt customers who fail to attend the meetings without good cause are considered failing to comply.

Do not sanction customers who fail to make the required employer contacts if they have made a good faith effort (see PM 21-06-10-c). A good faith effort is determined based on all the facts and conditions of each case.

The customer must make a good faith effort to complete twenty employer contacts per month while in Supervised Job Search.

Ten of the required contacts must be either:

  • the completion and return of an employment application; or
  • a face-to-face interview with an employer.

The remaining 10 contacts may combine any of the following:

  • returning a completed application;
  • having a face-to-face interview with an employer;
  • completing a civil service test required for employment with State, Local, or Federal Government;
  • completing a Job Service screening test;
  • mailing a resume with a cover letter to a recognized employer;
  • for union members in good standing, reporting to the union hall;
  • reporting to a day labor hall;
  • reporting for temporary office service.

F. Work Experience

SNAP E & T customers may be assigned to the Work Experience component to:

  • obtain a meaningful work experience; or
  • maintain or enhance existing employment skills.

Unpaid work is performed for public or private not-for-profit organizations (employers).

Employers must not use SNAP E & T clients to displace employees; there must be an adherence specific ratio of customer engagement/work experience with employers.  They can not be used to open or close a facility.

If a customer, their representative or an employee of the employer believes a Work Experience assignment is causing displacement, they may file a written grievance with the Department.

1. Entry Into the Activity

Customers are assigned to this activity based on an assessment of their education, training, work history and the needs of the employer.

Consider the customer's prior training, proficiency, experience, skills, and vocational preference when making assignments to this activity. Customers are selected for Work Experience, taking into account their skills and the needs of the employer, as slots are available.

2. Activity Requirements

To comply with Work Experience, participants work up to 80 hours per month, based on the amount of SNAP benefits received. Use the chart in WAG 03-25-05-a to determine the number of hours required. Clients who participate in Work Experience for the number of hours required, meet the work requirement for SNAP benefits (see PM 03-25-00).

Customers must report on time. If they cannot appear or will be late, they must immediately notify the Work Experience employer.

An initial failure to report to the Work Experience assignment, or failure to attend one day in any 30-day period without good cause, may result in a sanction.

During participation in this activity, customers may take part in education and training programs, as appropriate, and must meet the SNAP E & T program requirements (see PM 21-06-03).

G. Earnfare

Earnfare gives adult customers who receive SNAP benefits and who volunteer or are court ordered to participate, the opportunity to earn cash assistance and gain work experience. Earnfare participants may be assigned up to a maximum of 80 hours per month and earn up to a maximum of $294 per month after working off the value of their SNAP benefit divided by the state minimum wage.

Receipt of SNAP benefits is not an eligibility requirement for a noncustodial parent of a TANF child(ren) who is ordered by a court to participate in Earnfare. Customers are not entitled to be placed in an Earnfare slot. Earnfare slots are made available as resources permit.

Earnfare participants are volunteers and may not be sanctioned. Earnfare participants earn cash if they work hours beyond their SNAP workoff. A person who fails to cooperate with Earnfare is reassigned to another activity and may be sanctioned if they do not comply with the newly assigned activity.

1. Administration and Contracts. 

Earnfare is administered by the Department and regular Earnfare providers.

The Department:

  • enters into contracts with other public/private agencies or groups to help develop job slots, and
  • provides Workers' Compensation coverage for each customer assigned to Earnfare.

Earnfare assignments must not displace persons who:

  • are employed as full-time or part-time employees of the employer, regardless of whether the person is currently working or on a leave of absence;
  • are, or have been, involved in a labor dispute between a labor organization and the employer; or
  • have been temporarily laid off by the employer.

2. Eligibility and Benefit Amount

Participation is limited to 6 months out of 12 months in a row. A month is any month the customer receives an Earnfare payment of any amount. This includes $1.00 earned over the SNAP work-off hours. The 12 months is a fixed period that begins in July and ends in June of the following year.

Individuals who are receiving TANF, or who would be eligible for TANF if they applied, are not eligible to participate in Earnfare.

A person participating in Earnfare can earn a maximum of $294 a month. 

The hours of work obligation change each time the SNAP customer's monthly SNAP benefit changes by at least $20. This is effective the same month as the change in the SNAP benefit. Notify the employer of the number of hours of employment to be performed by an Earnfare customer.

Customers must be credited with hours of work that the employer certifies, according to the employer contract with the Department.

Regular Earnfare wages are paid by the Provider. 

SNAP customers are paid only for the hours worked in excess of the monthly SNAP benefit. Earnfare wages are budgeted as unearned income for SNAP benefits.

SNAP E&T must try to resolve any disputes between the employer and the customer when they disagree over the number of hours worked. If the dispute cannot be resolved, the customer may appeal (see PM 01-07-00).

3. Notification and Referrals

All customers must be given a written notice when they leave Earnfare, specifying when they may requalify.

Refer any person to Earnfare who requests a referral.

Within 30 days after a request for an Earnfare referral:

  • persons not qualifying for Earnfare must be given or sent a notice stating they do not qualify and will not receive a referral;
  • persons requesting a referral and qualifying for Earnfare must be provided with a written notice that acknowledges the request and informs them they are eligible.

When possible, within 30 days of the written notice, customers must be assessed and referred to a suitable Earnfare slot.

Within 30 days after any additional Earnfare slots become available, customers must be called in for an assessment and referral.

When an appropriate slot is available, assign the customer to an Earnfare activity. Assess the customer based on their age, literacy, education, educational achievement, job training, work experience, and any recent mental or physical hospitalization.

Consider these factors when they are known to the Department or its contractors and relate to the customer's success in carrying out the assigned activities and in obtaining employment.

4.  Activity Requirements

  1. Customers may volunteer to take part in Earnfare or they may be ordered by a court to participate. Participation is limited to 6 months out of 12 in a row. The 12 months is a fixed period which begins in July and ends in June of the following year. Earnfare participants may be assigned up to a maximum of 80 hours per month.
  2. When notified, customers must report to their Earnfare assignment on time. When they cannot report to the assignment, or if they will be late, they must immediately notify the employer.
  3. During the assignment, customers must accept bona fide offers of suitable employment.
  4. During the assignment, customers must apply for suitable jobs for which the Earnfare administering agency or employer makes a referral.

Reassess the customer when they show an inability to perform assigned work. If appropriate, refer the customer to apply for revised text federal SSI benefits.

A customer may be dismissed by the Earnfare employer before the assignment ends:

  • upon the customer's failure to live up to the requirements of the assignment; or
  • upon the customer's commission of any gross misconduct on the job.

Determine if good cause exists (PM 21-06-10-d). If good cause exists, the customer is returned to the assignment. If the customer did not have good cause, they will be assigned to another activity.

As resources permit, Earnfare customers may volunteer for a job search activity for 2 months in a 12 consecutive month period. Customers are expected to make at least 20 employer contacts each month while in the job search activity. Customers in unsubsidized (by the Department) jobs while in Earnfare may be eligible for job retention supports.

H. Community Work

Community work includes unpaid work a person performs at a public or not for profit organization, such as a school, church, or a government agency.

The person chooses and arranges their own placement, with input from the worker. Community work provides the person with employment skills and references that can help them get a job.

  1. Entry Into the Activity - A person may participate in this activity when they have little or no work experience and need to obtain employment skills.
  2. Activity Requirements - A person works up to 80 hours per month, based on the amount of SNAP benefits received. (WAG 21-06-07-g) 

A person who participates in Community Work for the number of hours required, meets the work requirement for SNAP benefits

I. Counseling/Prevention Services

A customer in need of counseling/prevention services may be assigned 2 to 4 hours per week as part of an approved SNAP E & T activity to which the customer has been assigned.

  1. Entry Into the Activity - A person must be in need of counseling/prevention services.
  2. Activity Requirements - The services may be provided by the contractor, if they are licensed through the appropriate entity. The services must be paid from the contractor's earned  administrative rate or provided free by another licensed provider. The service provided cannot include treatment. The hours for these counseling and prevention services are countable within the approved SNAP E & T activity to which the participant has been assigned.