Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 609 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING (SNAP E AND T) RULES › Section 144-609-4 - EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Employment and training service components are defined in 7
				  C.F.R. § 273.7(e)(2) and may be limited in availability to the extent that
				  SNAP E&T Providers deliver specific service components in specific
				  geographic locations.
The Department requires SNAP E&T Providers to deliver
				  those service components as defined in the USDA SNAP E&T Toolkit, posted
				  at:
https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/employment-training-program-toolkit
.
				  SNAP E&T services that may be delivered are categorized as Non-work
				  Components, Work Components, and Educational Components. All SNAP E&T
				  Providers are required to provide case management services to SNAP E&T
				  participants during their SNAP E&T participation, which requires at a
				  minimum monthly contact with SNAP E&T participants to track and coach
				  progress related to SNAP E&T participation. SNAP E&T Participants may
				  be coenrolled with more than one SNAP E&T Provider only when the providers
				  are delivering separate components of services as listed below to the
				  Participant. (E.g. a participant may have their case management reimbursed by
				  one provider and their Educational Component by another.) SNAP E&T
				  Participants may not receive the same component of service from more than one
				  SNAP E&T Provider in the same month, and in the event that more than one
				  Provider offers that component of service, the Participant may select the
				  Provider of their choice.
The following employment and training service components may
				  be delivered:
I.
NON-WORK
				COMPONENTS
A.
Job Search
				Training
Job Search Training is a component that assists participants
				  to become job ready by teaching job seeking techniques and working with
				  participants to increase their self-confidence and job search motivation. The
				  component may include job skills assessments beyond the initial assessment, job
				  clubs, and other employment related training. Job Search Training may also have
				  specific activities to assist participants who have not recently been in the
				  workforce or are from a different culture. Necessary Job Search Training
				  services are identified on an individual basis and may also include but are not
				  limited to interview workshops, resume writing, and Maine JobLink registration
				  to apply for jobs online. Depending on needs, some participants may receive
				  more intensive services to help them become work ready, including time
				  management, budgeting, or assistance with transportation.
B.
Job Search
Job Search is the component that requires job ready
				  participants to make contact with a minimum of three employers per week
				  regarding potential employment and keep a job search log. Job Search must be a
				  supervised activity in order to meet federal requirements outlined in 7 C.F.R.
				  § 273.7 (e)(2).
The component allows the participant to conduct job searches
				  independently or within a group setting, and includes case management from the
				  SNAP E&T Provider to support Job Search activities.
C.
Job Retention
Job Retention services pursuant to 7 C.F.R. §
				  273.7(e)(2)(viii) provide case management and participant reimbursements for
				  recipients who have obtained a job through working with the SNAP E&T
				  Provider. Job Retention services can typically be provided for a minimum of 30
				  days up to 90 days after starting a job that was obtained through participation
				  in SNAP E&T. Maine received approval from FNS on August 13, 2020 to expand
				  the duration of Job Retention services to a maximum of 365 days effective
				  October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2024. This component allows case
				  management services and some participant reimbursements for equipment, tools,
				  uniforms, childcare, and transportation to support the participant in retaining
				  a job.
ABAWDs are limited to a maximum of two hours per week of Job
				  Retention services that can be counted toward ABAWD work requirements, which
				  may be combined with 18 hours of ABAWD work requirements.
Job Retention is the only SNAP E&T component that may be
				  delivered to participants who lose their SNAP eligibility due to excess income
				  when they attain employment through SNAP E&T participation.