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 144-609-1 - DEFINITIONS, AUTHORIZATION, AND ADMINISTRATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
I.
DEFINITIONS
Able-bodied Adult without Dependent (ABAWD)
- a
				  recipient as defined in 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 301 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
				  Program (SNAP) Rules Manual, Section 111-7.
Assessment
- An individualized process designed
				  to integrate the array of SNAP E&T services with educational and vocational
				  needs, including review of employment and educational history, interests and
				  abilities of each participant, barriers to employment, and support service
				  needs to develop an Individualized Employment Plan as an interactive process
				  between the participant and the SNAP E&T Provider.
Basic Skills Education
- educational or basic
				  skills training such as Adult Basic Education (ABE), basic literacy, English as
				  a Second Language (ESL), high school equivalency (HiSET), and other remedial
				  courses necessary for job attainment and/or prerequisites or necessary for
				  participating in post-secondary education consistent with 7 C.F.R.
				  §273.7(e)(2)(vi)(A).
Case Management
- As outlined in 7 C.F.R.
				  §273.7(e)(1), Case Management is the ongoing process of interactive
				  communication, identifying the needs of the participant, coordinating services
				  appropriate to meet those needs, and monitoring and supporting the
				  participant's progress through SNAP E&T so that the participant can gain
				  the skills and support to obtain employment. Case management must be provided
				  by all SNAP E&T providers in addition to at least one SNAP E&T service
				  component.
Component
- Educational, training, or employment
				  activities approved by SNAP E&T and delivered to meet federally defined
				  standards for SNAP Employment and Training programs in 7 C.F.R.
				  §273.7(e)(2). SNAP E&T services may include Non-work, Work, and
				  Educational Components. SNAP E&T Providers are not required to deliver all
				  service components.
Educational Component
- is a SNAP E&T
				  component as defined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2) that includes basic skills
				  education, vocational, or post-secondary undergraduate education for specific
				  high skilled jobs. Educational Components may be counted as a qualifying ABAWD
				  Work Component when the ABAWD is enrolled at least 20 hours per week or
				  half-time in an Educational Component, as determined by the educational
				  institution.
Fair Hearing (also known as an Administrative
				  Hearing)
- A hearing conducted before a Department of Health and Human
				  Services hearings officer in which a participant has an opportunity to dispute
				  a decision made by the Department. The hearing officer's decision is binding on
				  all parties and is subject to possible Superior Court review.
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS)
- The division
				  of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that works to end hunger
				  and obesity through the administration of federal nutrition assistance programs
				  including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and school meals in
				  partnership with State and Tribal governments.
Individualized Employment Plan (IEP)
- An
				  agreement between the SNAP E&T Provider and the participant, which outlines
				  the responsibilities of each party, including services to be provided by SNAP
				  E&T, and actions to be taken by the participant to achieve a short or
				  long-term employment related goal identified in the IEP.
Job Retention
- A SNAP E&T component as
				  defined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2)(viii) that provides case management and
				  participant reimbursements and other SNAP E&T services to participants who
				  obtain a job through their SNAP E&T enrollment.
Non-work Component
- includes federally defined
				  Job Search, Job Search Training, and Job Retention Component services as
				  defined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2) typically used to help a participant
				  achieve job readiness or retain employment attained through SNAP E&T
				  participation.
Participant
- a federal SNAP recipient who is
				  enrolled in SNAP E&T services.
Participant Reimbursement
- Reimbursements
				  pursuant to 7 C.F.R. §273.7(d)(4) for services or items such as
				  transportation, childcare, books, tools, equipment or work clothing that are
				  necessary for the participant to complete the SNAP E&T component in which
				  they are enrolled and have identified in their IEP. Participant Reimbursement
				  costs can only be reimbursed by the Department directly to the SNAP E&T
				  Provider or participant.
Provider
(SNAP E&T Provider)- either the
				  Department or a contracted vendor that provides SNAP E&T services.
Qualifying Component
- an Educational or Work
				  Component pursuant to 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2) that may be used toward ABAWD
				  work requirements.
Recipient
- an eligible individual included in a
				  SNAP household and currently receiving or enrolled for SNAP benefits.
Work Component
- an employment and training
				  service component as defined in 7 C.F.R. §273.7(e)(2) that qualifies for
				  federally defined standards to meet ABAWD work requirements. Work Components
				  include apprenticeships, Job Retention, workfare, and work experience.
Work Registrant
- a recipient between the ages of
				  16-59 who is subject to the federal work requirements identified in 7 C.F.R.
				  §273.7(a)(1)(i-vii).
II.
AUTHORIZATION
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for
				  Family Independence, is authorized to operate the SNAP Employment and Training
				  (SNAP E&T) program for SNAP recipients under provisions of the federal Food
				  Stamp Act of 1977 (P.L. 93-133, Section 17), as amended, which is contained in
				  Title 7 United States Code §2015(d)(4). It is authorized under Maine Law
				  at 22 M.R.S. §3104. It is governed by regulations promulgated by the U.S.
				  Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, as set forth at 7 C.F.R.
				  §273.7.
III.
ADMINISTRATION
A.
USDA
				FNS
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition
				Service (FNS), is the federal government body that has regulatory oversight,
				provides the federal portion of funding, and approves annual program plans for
				the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP
				E&T) program.
B.
DHHS/OFI
- The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is
				the state agency designated by the USDA/FNS for the administration of SNAP and
				SNAP E&T. Within DHHS, the program is administered by the Office for Family
				Independence (OFI). OFI may provide SNAP E&T services or may contract with
				SNAP E&T Providers to administer SNAP E&T services subject to the
				requirements in this rule.
C.
SERVICE AREA-
SNAP E&T services may have limited availability
				throughout the state, depending on where the Department has SNAP E&T
				Providers available to deliver services.
D.
FUNDING
- Services are limited
				to the extent that program funding and resources permit.