This memo provides policy clarification on the use of SNAP E&T funds to pay for services for individuals who are attending high school. In most cases, it is likely neither legal nor appropriate to use E&T funds to pay for services for individuals are attending high school.
The SNAP E&T pilot projects give Congress, USDA, and states the opportunity to test innovative strategies and approaches that connect low-income households to good paying jobs and thereby reduce their reliance on public assistance.
We are committed to providing opportunities to the families we serve, ensuring that with the program benefits we deliver, we also inspire hope.
The proposed rule would implement the changes made by section 4005 of The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the Act) to SNAP pertaining to the Employment and Training program and aspects of the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). In general, these changes are related to strengthening the SNAP E&T program, adding workforce partnerships as a way for SNAP participants to meet their work requirements, and modifying the work requirement for ABAWDs.
Letter to state commissioners explaining USDA has been relentless in notifying, educating, and equipping you to engage more SNAP participants as they transition to work. Some of you have been proactive leaders in improving your E&T program. However, not all states have taken action. Today, I call on you to leverage the opportunity afforded to us by the longest economic expansion in U.S. history to get to work on getting people to work.
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide policy clarification reinforcing the importance of carefully monitoring the funding of E&T activities-especially education components-operated by state agencies as part of their SNAP E&T programs.
Attached are policy clarification questions and answers on the SNAP Employment and Training program in response to questions raised by the states in various discussions about E&T requirements.