The Conciliation Process:
This process applies only to ABAWDs subject to work requirements.
- determines why a participant failed or refused to comply with SNAP E&T requirements;
- determines whether good cause exists; and
- provides the person another chance to comply.
Conciliation must be conducted before the third counted month passes and benefits are cancelled.
The conciliation period begins the day after the Provider learns the participant did not comply with requirements. A Customer Staffing must be scheduled, and the period continues for up to 30 calendar days. The purpose of this process is to identify and assist participants as risk of losing benefits and/or supportive services which could improve their self-sufficiency and employability.
During this period, a notice (Form 2846G) is sent scheduling the conciliation meeting. If it is determined that good cause does not exist, inform the participant of the specific requirement (Form 3392) and the consequences of not complying. The participant is told what is needed to comply and the date by which it must be done to avoid losing benefits. This date cannot be later than the last day of the conciliation period. If necessary, provide transportation expenses to enable the participant to attend conciliation meetings.
The participant must act to comply within the conciliation period, unless unable to do so by events beyond their control. The act of compliance must be verified. If the participant refuses to comply without good cause, end the conciliation period early and request a sanction from the FCRC via Change Progress Report Form (Form 2151A). Document the participant's refusal to comply in their case file.
If the participant does not comply during the conciliation period, the automatic counting of non-compliant months will be allowed to continue and may result in the participant losing benefits.
Good Cause Reasons
Examples of good cause include, but are not limited to:
- death in the family;
- illness or incapacity;
- required court appearance or being temporarily in jail;
- family crisis;
- an emergency situation;
- lack of reasonably available transportation;
- severe weather;
- job referral does not meet appropriate work or training criteria;
- lack of application of a valid exemption to their case;
- lack of any supportive service or other resource as determined by the Employability Plan, to the extent it presents a major barrier to SNAP E&T activity;
- current participation in employment or training that is in line with the employment related goals of the program. These efforts must later be approved (e.g., individual is unable to participate because they were in a GED class);
- symptoms of a condition for which the participant has been referred for rehabilitation services;
- failure of staff to correctly forward information to other staff;
- failure of the participant to comply because of attendance at a test or a mandatory class or function at an education program whether such program is officially approved by the Provider or SNAP E&T;
- lack of reading or writing skills by the participant;
- failure of the participant when it is determined that the individual should be in a different SNAP E&T component or exempt;
- lack of reasonably available day care; and
- non-receipt of mail by the participant of a notice advising them of a program requirement, if documented by the individual.
