Narrative: a. 10.

Currently, county office workers are responsible for the following duties: intake, application processing, recertification, work registration, and referring non-ABAWD work registrants to the E&T Program if these individuals are interested in participating in the program. Each household member subject to the work registration requirements will be notified by the DHS worker that he or she has been work registered via the DCO-260. In E&T counties, the work registration notice advises each household member classified as an ABAWD that he or she will be referred to the E&T Program. The notice also advises other work registrants that they may volunteer to participate in the E&T Program in E&T counties. The E&T Provider will be able to use our online benefit check to determine if a SNAP client is eligible for E&T. If a client is receiving benefits it will show through benefit check. If the client comes back as a match in the universe of E&T participants then they can participate in the program and the provider can make an immediate referral electronically through the E&T MIS. The Provider must have the individual’s social security number to verify their benefits through benefit check. If the individual is not a SNAP participant may also complete an online application by logging into https://access.arkansas.gov/Voter.aspx. Once the client is determined eligible for SNAP then they can be referred through the E&T MIS by the County Office. Arkansas has chosen the option to reinstate the eligibility of ABAWDs who have used their 3 months but who can verify that they will meet the ABAWD work requirement within 30 days from the date of application. If a client applies for SNAP and states that they want to participate in E&T then the application will be approved and an immediate referral will be made through the E&T MIS. The provider will receive the referral the next day and contact the client to schedule an appointment. If the client does not comply with the appointment and assessment process within 30 days then the provider notifies the county office through the E&T MIS and also sends a message through the E&T MIS messenger system notifying them of the non-compliance. The county office will then close the SNAP case and process an overpayment. Able Bodied Adults may be exempt from work requirements if certain conditions are met and a determination is made by the eligibility worker. If the exemption is granted, the eligibility worker must change the Able Bodied Adult’s program status in the ANSWER eligibility system. Upon receipt of the referral the provider initiates a contact within 5 days with the individual to schedule an assessment, and logs in the contact to the Referral Log. If the participant misses the first appointment, a second appointment can be scheduled within 10 days. The second appointment will be put in the mail no later than the next business day following the missed appointment, and all missed appointments are entered into the case file and the reason if one is provided. If the participant misses both appointments that were issued during the referral month, enter on the State report entitled “Monthly Report” that the person was a “no show”. Inter-Agency Coordination

The Department of Human Services is the single agency responsible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Arkansas. Community based partners, local adult education centers, vocational schools, and community colleges will implement all E&T services in the E&T counties through a contractual relationship with DHS.

Methods of Coordination

Newly work-registered household members classified as ABAWDs will be automatically referred to the E&T Program. The E&T Program referral (DCO-205) will be used to refer work-registered volunteers to the E&T Program as requested, or due to a case action in participating E&T counties.

Coordination Time Frames