III. SNAP E&T Program Componets

A. Requirements

Providers may engage participants for up to 80 hours per month in one or a combination of components. Customers who volunteer to participate in SNAP E&T must take part in one or more of the following components. All available SNAP E&T components must be approved in the SNAP E&T state plan. New components to be offered must be approved by FNS prior to being offered by providers to SNAP E&T customers. Each Provider must inform IDHS of the components they will offer at the beginning of the contract year. Along with the following list of components, services must also include case management, which is a mandatory component for all SNAP E&T participants, and any needed supportive services.

  • Non-Education, Non-Work Components
    • Supervised Job Search
    • Job Search Training
    • Job Retention
    • Community Workfare
  • Educational Components
    • Basic Education (HS, GED, or ABE)
    • Vocational Training
    • English Language Acquisition
    • Work Readiness Training
  • Work Experience Components
    • On-the-Job Training
    • Internship
    • Transitional Jobs
    • Transitional Jobs - Earnfare (this may be required for individuals who are court ordered to participate)

ABAWDs subject to time-limited benefits (living in a non-waived county) must participate in qualified components for a total of 80 hours per month in order to maintain benefits. Customers who participate in a qualifying component for the number of hours required, meet the work requirement for SNAP benefits (see PM 03-25-00).

B. Non-Education, Non-Work Component

1. Supervised Job Search 

  • Supervised Job Search is for individuals who are work ready but who could use coordinated assistance in finding employment.  This component consists of a coordinated set of activities such as job placement services, skills assessment and career interest inventory, and training/coaching to improve the participant's job seeking chances. Supervised Job Search also identifies any additional services that may be needed if the participant cannot find a job. Individuals in Supervised Job Search will be supervised by a Provider, with at least weekly contact being made. Providers will be responsible for maintaining documentation of customers' time spent completing the job search component and time spent developing a job search strategy or plan with the customer and then time spent in enacting that plan. State approved supervised job search locations include, IDHS location, provider locations, or an American Job Center with IDHS or provider staff. These locations are approved designated locations as they allow for the close proximity of staff to assist with the job search and validate time being spent on job search. If in-person is not plausible due to safety concerns, remote contact via teleconference or phone with provider staff will also be allowed. When the Work Requirement is in effect, supervised job search alone will not meet the federal work requirement (time limited benefits). It is acceptable to meet the federal work requirement (time limited benefits) when supervised job search is included in the activities of another component and it comprises less than half of the total time spent in that component. Individuals participating in supervised job search must also receive case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements The customer must develop a plan for looking for work and actively look for employment with support from provider. Progress is defined by the Provider.
  • Contact with Customers Contact with the customer is needed at least once a week for case management, to check in on progress or obstacles with the job search plan and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request. This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

2. Job Search Training

  • Job Search Training is for individuals who are work ready but need support or assistance in getting prepared to look for and interview for jobs. This component enhances a participant's job readiness by teaching them job seeking techniques, increasing job search motivation, and boosting self-confidence. It may also consist of assistance with resume writing, interview skills, employability assessments, and other direct training or support activities. When the Work Requirement is in effect, job search training alone will not meet the federal work requirement (time limited benefits). It is acceptable to meet the federal work requirement when job search training is included in the activities of another component, and it comprises less than half of the total time spent in that component. Individuals participating in job search training will receive case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements The customer must participate in activities that prepare them for searching and accepting employment. Attendance requirements are established by the provider.
  • Contact with Customers There must be contact with the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request. This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

3. Job Retention

  • Job Retention is for individuals who started employment while actively participating in SNAP E&T and is intended to support and encourage the individual in maintaining the new job. This component assists newly employed SNAP E&T participants in navigating the employment world and overcoming barriers that could hinder them from retaining employment. Support is provided to participants by helping them maintain employment obtained while engaged in SNAP E&T. Additional counseling, training and participant reimbursements (supportive services), such as, but not limited to, clothing and transportation will be offered to assist them in being successful at their new job.  Once placed into the job retention component, the individual will be provided on-going support, supportive services, and case management services and any needed additional training for 90 days from the date of their initial employment start date.
  • Component Requirements The customer must have been actively participating in SNAP E&T prior to being placed into this component.
  • Contact with Customers  Contact the customer weekly for the initial 30 days and semi-monthly after that until 90 days after the initial start date has been reached in order to deliver case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request. This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

4. Community Workfare

  • Community Workfare is for individuals who have little or no work experience and need to obtain employment skills. This component is designed to improve employability and enable individuals to move into regular employment. Community Workfare Sponsors are public or private not-for-profit entities, such as CBOs, churches, or other cooperating organizations, who must have a signed agreement with IDHS. Community Workfare includes unpaid work a person performs that provides the individual with employment skills and references that can help them get a job. If an individual participates for their maximum number of hours, they will meet the federal work requirement (time limited benefits, when it is in effect). Individual's participating in Community Workfare are provided case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements Participation in this component is limited to the household SNAP allotment divided by, the higher of State or Federal minimum wage. A participant is not allowed to participate in this component more than their SNAP allotment divided by, the higher of State or Federal minimum wage.
  • Contact with Customers Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursement (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request. This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

C. Educational Components

1. Basic Education (HS, GED or ABE)

  • Basic Education is for individuals who are in need of additional education to obtain quality employment. For this component individuals may volunteer to participate in Basic Education if they need additional education to advance in their job search or in the attainment of employment. They may be referred for testing, counseling, and educational resources at public community colleges, adult education centers, state or local agencies, or to programs which sponsor such activities. Programs should offer academic instruction and education services below the postsecondary level that increase an individual's ability to read and write and perform mathematics or other activities necessary for the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; transition to postsecondary education and training; and obtain employment. Individuals participating in Basic Education are provided case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements Participation in this component is for individuals who do not possess a high school diploma or GED and will lead to unsubsidized employment. Consider the time required to complete, and the overall cost and quality of the program. The customer should possess the aptitude, ability, and interest needed for success in the program (as determined by such factors as test results, educational background, and previous training). The program must be administered by an educational institution meeting the standards issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, or the Department of Professional Regulations or be funded by the Work Innovation Opportunity Investment Act (WIOA). The customer must apply for any grants or scholarships identified by the educational facilities for which the customer may be eligible.  The customer is required to attend classes as defined by the training or educational facility. Missing 3 days of classes in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program. Curriculum changes must be consistent with the written goals of the training program and should be approved by E&T Staff within the Office of Workforce Development. The customer must provide proof of attendance and progress upon request and attendance should be tracked in ISETS.
  • Contact with Customers There must be contact with customers weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursement (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request. This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

2. Vocational Training

  • Vocational Training is for individuals who can benefit from short-term vocational training. This component supports individuals in need of a short-term work-related training designed to improve the employability of a participant. It includes short-term technical training, education, and certificate programs that prepare a student for employment in a specific occupation. Some examples of credentials offered through provider programs or training partnerships are: Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Information Technology (IT) and National Institution of Metal Working Skills (NIMS). Individual participating will receive case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements This component is for individuals who are readily employable with the addition of short-term training (i.e., a training program for specific job openings which are available) and have the interest and ability to complete the training program. The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the training Provider. Missing 3 days of classes in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program. Individuals participating in Vocational Training are required to apply for any grants for which they may be eligible. Only if student aid is not sufficient to meet the customer's allowable education expenses for the academic term can it be supplemented by the Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) supportive services. If the expected aid amount exceeds any education expenses, and it is not used to pay allowable education expenses (tuition and fees), it is considered available to meet so, do not approve a supplement
  • Contact with Customers  Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursement (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request.  This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

3.  English Language Acquisition

  • English Language Acquisition is for non-English speaking individuals. This component is for participants identified as non-English speaking individuals who need additional assistance in the formal grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of spoken and written English, to help advance in their search and attainment of employment. They may be referred for testing, counseling, and educational resources at public community colleges, adult education centers, state, or local agencies, or to programs which sponsor such activities. Individuals participating in English Language Acquisition will receive case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the Provider. Missing 3 days of classes in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program.
  • Contact with Customers  Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request.  This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

4.  Work Readiness Training

  • Work Readiness Training is for individuals who can benefit from improved job seeking and interview skills as well as preparation for lifestyle changes after beginning a job. This component consists of coordinated activities such as counseling, job placement services, employment assessment, job seeking skills training, life skills workshops, and information regarding the current labor market. Work Readiness Training gives the client an improved chance of getting and retaining a job by improving job seeking and interviewing skills through training and preparing the customer for the lifestyle changes that may come after beginning a job. Intensive programs that include skill assessment and educational remediation services that prepare individuals for the workforce. Work readiness skills may include both foundational cognitive skills such as reading for information, applied mathematics, locating information, problem solving, and critical thinking and non-cognitive skills, or soft skills, which are defined as personal characteristics and behavioral skills that enhance an individual's interactions, job performance, and career prospects such as adaptability, integrity, cooperation, and workplace discipline. Individuals participating in Work Readiness Training will receive case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the training Provider. Missing 3 days in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program.
  • Contact with Customers Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request.  This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

D. Work Experience Component

1. On-the-Job Training 

  • On-the-Job-Training is a component for individuals who are work ready but need training in a specific job. This component is provided under a contract with an employer or registered apprenticeship program sponsor in the public, private non-profit, or private sector. Occupational training is provided for the participant in exchange for the reimbursement, for the costs of providing the training and supervision related to the training. Individuals participating in On-the-Job-Training are provided case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the training Provider. Missing 3 days in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program.
  • Contact with Customers Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request.  This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

2. Internship

  • Internship is a component for individuals who are work ready but need experience in a specific job.  An internship is a planned, structured learning experience that takes place in a workplace for a limited time. An internship may be paid or unpaid and may be arranged within the private for-profit sector, the non-profit sector, or the public sector. All Labor standards apply in any Internship setting with an employee/employer relationship, as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Certain providers offer internships for those that are job ready with business partners or at their location. Individuals participating in Internships will receive case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the training Provider. Missing 3 days in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program.
  • Contact with Customers Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request.  This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS.

3. Transitional Jobs

  • Transitional Jobs is for individuals who need work experience and provides them with a subsidized pay. This component provides a time-limited work experience, with a subsidized wage and is in the public, private, or non-profit sectors, for those individuals with barriers to employment who are chronically unemployed or have inconsistent work history. These jobs are designed to enable an individual to establish a work history, demonstrate work success in an employee-employer relationship, and develop the skills that lead to unsubsidized employment. Transitional jobs must sustain interactions with industry or community professionals in real world settings, have firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, emphasizes employer engagement including specific training objectives, and leads to regular employment. Some examples of types of work are maintenance, landscape, and clerical. Transitional jobs must not provide any work that has the effect of replacing the employment of an individual, it must also provide the same benefits and working conditions that are provided at the job site to employees performing comparable work for comparable hours. The income is considered earned income and must be budgeted on the individual's case in IES. Individuals participating in Transitional Jobs are provided case management and supportive services.
  • Component Requirements The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the training Provider. Missing 3 days in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program.
  • Contact with Customers Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request.  This contact must be documented in ISETS. If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response, this too must be documented in ISETS.

4.  Transitional Jobs/Earnfare

  • Transitional Jobs/Earnfare is for individuals who need work experience and provides them with a subsidized pay. This component provides a time-limited work experience, with a subsidized wage and is in the public, private, or non-profit sectors, for those individuals with barriers to employment who are chronically unemployed or have inconsistent work history. These jobs are designed to enable an individual to establish a work history, demonstrate work success in an employee-employer relationship, and develop the skills that lead to unsubsidized employment. Transitional Jobs/Earnfare must sustain interactions with industry or community professionals in real world settings, have firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field, emphasizes employer engagement including specific training objectives, and leads to regular employment. Some examples of types of work are maintenance, landscape, and clerical. Transitional Jobs/Earnfare must not provide any work that has the effect of replacing the employment of an individual, it must also provide the same benefits and working conditions that are provided at the job site to employees performing comparable work for comparable hours. In order to participate in this component an individual must first performed Community Workfare the maximum allowable hours. After participants perform Community Workfare for the maximum allowable hours (their SNAP benefits divided by the state minimum wage) they can participate in Transitional Job/Earnfare and receive a stipend. Transitional Job/Earnfare participation is limited to 6 months out of a consecutive 12-month period (July through June). The income is considered earned income and must be budgeted on the individual's case in IES. Individuals participating in Transitional Jobs/Earnfare are provided case management and supportive services.  The hours of work obligation are determined at initial enrollment and only changes if the customer's monthly SNAP benefit changes by at least $20. This is effective the same month as the change in the SNAP benefit occurs. In the event of a change to the hours of work obligation, the employer and customer will be notified of the number of hours to be performed by a Transitional Job/Earnfare customer. The provider will be notified by IDHS staff of the change in work obligation hours and the provider will notify the employer and the customer.  All customers must be given a written notice (form 2858E) when they leave Transitional Job/Earnfare, specifying when they may requalify, this notice will be sent by the provider with a copy of the notice uploaded in ISETS.  Customers participating in Transitional Job/Earnfare report to their assignment on time.  When they cannot report to the assignment, or if they will be late, they must immediately notify the employer.
  • Component Requirements The customer must have satisfactory attendance and progress as defined by the training Provider. Missing 3 days in a 30- day period without good cause may result in being removed from the program. Customers participating in Transitional Job/Earnfare report to their assignment on time. When they cannot report to the assignment, or if they will be late, they must immediately notify the employer.
  • Contact with Customers Contact the customer weekly for case management and to determine if participant reimbursements (supportive services) issuances are needed. If supportive services are needed, they must be issued within 2 working days of the approval of the request.  This contact must be documented in ISETS.  If attempts are made to contact the customer with no customer response this too must be documented in ISETS. All customers must be given a written notice (form 2858E) when they leave Transitional Job/Earnfare, specifying when they may requalify, this notice will be sent by the provider with a copy of the notice uploaded in ISETS.
  • Transitional Jobs/Earnfare Payments
    • Transitional Jobs/Earnfare Providers will administer the stipend payments issued to the participants only after the work obligation (Community Workfare) hours have been completed. Participants will be allowed to work a maximum of 35 hours, at State minimum wage, after their work obligations hours, to earn a stipend.
    • If the employer has a paid lunch period for its regular employees, then the participant's lunch period time is counted toward the total hours worked. If the employer does not have a paid lunch period for its regular employees, then the lunch period for participants does not count toward their total hours.
    • With the exception of the paid lunch period, Providers will authorize payment to participants only for actual time in attendance. Participants may not be paid for time off including, but not limited to, holidays and bad weather days, even if regular employees are paid for such days.
    • No stipend payments will be made for any additional hours completed beyond the number of hours participated in the activity by the participant up to a maximum of 35 hours.
    • No deductions will be withheld from the stipend assistance payments including, but not limited to, union dues, Federal, State or local taxes, FICA, or other child support obligation (child support obligations can be withheld for individuals who are court ordered to participant).
    • Providers will pay participants for hours worked beyond their work obligation as soon as possible but within fourteen (14) days of the completion of the monthly assignment. Payments will be made to participants by check or money order to provide supporting documents that will verify payments. Providers will not issue payments in cash.
    • Transitional Job/Earnfare stipend wages are paid directly from the Provider or the employer, if referred by the Department. WFD staff must try to resolve any disputes between the employer and the customer when they disagree over the number of hours worked. (customers are encouraged to track and document their hours worked) If the dispute cannot be resolved, the customer may appeal (see PM 01-07-00).