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SNAP Employment and Training Programs Rights and Responsibilities

Branch: EBT case number: Worker ID:F

Case name:

What are the SNAP Employment and Training Programs?

There are three SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs. The programs are: • Oregon Food Stamp Employment and Training (OFSET);• Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD); and • STEP (SNAP Training and Employment Program).

These programs help people to become employed. You may learn how to write a resume, complete a job application and do well during a job interview. You may also do certain work activities such as Workfare or volunteer work.

The following people are required to not voluntarily quit a job, not reduce work hours below 30 per week and must accept a job offer unless they have good cause.

The following people are also required to complete ABAWD work activities. Talk to your worker about how and where to report hours and activities. You may be asked to give proof.

I have reviewed this form with the client and have given them a copy for their records.

Worker signature Date

Who is exempt?

Everyone who is at least 16 and not yet 60 must help the agency figure out your work program status. Some people will not have any other requirements in the SNAP E&T programs. We call this being exempt.You will not be asked to do any other E&T activities if you:

• Are under age 16 or at least age 60 or older;• Are physically or mentally unable to work;• Are participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program;• Must care for a child under age six who is on your SNAP case;• Must care for a disabled person;• Are a student at least half time;• Are getting money due to being disabled; or• Are pregnant and unable to work due to pregnancy.

You need to continue to do the other program work activities if you:• Are getting unemployment insurance or you applied and have not been denied; or• Are in JOBS while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

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What if I am already working or participating in another work program?

You will not be asked do any E&T activities if you:• Are working for pay at least 30 hours a week; or• Are earning at least the federal minimum wage times 30 hours each week (after

deducting costs if the work is self-employment).• Are in JOBS while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); or• Are getting unemployment insurance or you applied and have not been denied.

BUT you must not quit your work, must not reduce your work hours below 30 per week and you must accept employment if you are not working.

What happens if I quit my job, reduce my hours or refuse a job offer?

If you do not have good cause (see page 3):• The first time, you lose benefits for at least one month.• The second time, you lose benefits for at least three months.• Every time after that, you lose benefits for at least six months.

You can cooperate and receive benefits again after you serve the penalty or if you start meeting one of the reasons listed above to be exempt.

Who must do the additional E&T activities?

If you do not meet any of the exemptions listed on page 1, you will be required to do additional work activities if:

• You live in Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Washington or Yamhill County; and

• You are an ABAWD — see below.

Who is an ABAWD?

An ABAWD is someone who:• Is at least 18 and not yet 50; and • Has no child under the age of 18 receiving SNAP benefits on their case.

What is so special about an ABAWD?

The federal regulations state an ABAWD can only receive SNAP benefits for three months during a three-year period of time. This is called a time-limit. In Oregon the three-year period started on 1/1/2016 and goes through 12/31/2018. A new three-year time period will start on 1/1/19. ABAWDs who live in Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Washington or Yamhill County are limited to receiving SNAP benefits for only three months during the three-year period. To receive benefits for more than three months an ABAWD must be doing certain work activities each month. The ABAWD program will help you do this.The time limit is not applied if:

• You are pregnant;• You do not live in Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Washington or

Yamhill County;• A child joins your household;• You meet one of the exemptions listed on page 1;• You are doing the ABAWD work activities as listed below.

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What are the ABAWD work activities?

ABAWDs are required to complete an average of 20 hours per week for a total of 80 hours per month in a combination of the following activities:

• Work for pay;• Unpaid (volunteer) work;• Barter work in exchange for services (i.e. free rent/utilities);• Participate in a program under Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA);• Participate in a program under section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974; and• Work search and work search preparation. This activity is limited to no more than

9 out of the 20 hours per week; OR• Participate in workfare.

What happens if I do not complete the required hours?

If you do not complete the required hours for a month that month will count as one of the three months. If you have a good reason tell DHS and the agency will determine if you have good cause (see below). Once you have received three months of benefits you have reached the time limit. If you reach your time limit you will no longer be eligible. If this happens your benefits will end. If you receive benefits with other people, they may still be eligible. If they are eligible they will receive less benefits. You can continue to receive benefits as long as you continue doing the required amount of ABAWD work activities. If you start meeting one of the exemptions listed on page 1, please tell the agency.

Can I get benefits again before the three years is up?

Yes. You will need to complete 80 hours of work activities in a thirty-day period to regain eligibility. Talk to DHS if you want to do this. The agency can explain how to do this. You may need to reapply. You can also become eligible again:

• If you start meeting one of the exemptions listed on page 1; or• If you are not living in Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Washington

or Yamhill County.

What is good cause?

Good cause means you had a good reason for not doing the work-related activities. If you have a good reason, please explain this to the agency. The agency will determine if you have good cause. Here are some reasons for good cause:

• Your doctor says the task will hurt you;• You left the worksite because it was unsafe;• You have no way to travel and need to walk more than 2 miles;• You need to commute more than 2 hours round-trip;• You were not being paid at least minimum wage;• The work hours interfered with your religious beliefs;• You do not have child care;• You did not want to accept a job offered due to a strike, lockout or labor dispute;• You did not want to join the union due to religious beliefs;• The job goes against the conditions of your union;• The employer was discriminating on the basis of age, sex, race, religious or

political beliefs, marital status, disability or ethnic origin.• You accepted a job that did not happen or was for fewer hours, if it was out of your

control;• The job was unreasonable such as not being paid on schedule or at all;• You had to quit to move with a family member who moved away for a job

or school;• Your employer considered you to be retired;• Other reasons outside your control.

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If I am not required to do work activities can I get help from the E&T programs?

If you want to get help from one of the E&T programs talk to your worker. Your worker can tell you if there are services available in your area and give you the information or a referral. If you volunteer for E&T services, you can stop whenever you want to. There will be no penalty. The services may not be available or may stop based on funding.

What if I don’t agree?

You may disagree with your work status or an action taken by your worker. You have the right to talk to someone from DHS about the problem. We may ask you to attend a meeting called conciliation. This is an opportunity to explain why you disagree. If you have a reason for not attending the meeting or need to reschedule, tell your worker. Hearings are held before a hearing officer. Some hearings are held by telephone. At the hearing you can explain why you disagree with a decision. You may have witnesses or a lawyer to help. We cannot pay for your witnesses or a lawyer. You may get legal services through a legal aid office or the local bar association.You have the right to ask for a hearing within 90 days of the date of notice. You may ask for a hearing in person, by telephone or by filling out a form (Administrative Hearing Request, DHS 0443). Someone at the branch office can help you fill out the form.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) does not discriminate against anyone. This means that DHS will help all who qualify and will not treat anyone differently because of age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, political beliefs1, disability or sexual orientation2.You may file a complaint if you believe DHS treated you differently for any of these reasons. To file a complaint with the state, you can call the Governor’s Advocacy Office at 1-800-442-5238 (TTY 711).

1SNAP clients are protected against political belief discrimination.2Sexual orientation is protected by the State of Oregon, but not federal laws.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity employer and provider.