823 GOOD CAUSE FOR FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE (FSM)

__________________________________________________________

Good Cause for Failure to Comply with SNAP Work Requirements  

If an individual has refused or failed to comply with SNAP work requirements, the Department must determine if there was good cause by considering information submitted by the individual and/or by the employer.

Good cause includes circumstances beyond the individual’s control, such as, but not limited to:

·        illness;

·        illness of another household member that is serious enough to require the presence of the individual;

·        a household emergency;

·        the unavailability of transportation; or

·        the lack of adequate child care for children who have reached age six but are under age 12.  

See FSM 315.03, Good Cause for Voluntary Quit, for a list of acceptable good cause reasons for leaving a job.

Good Cause for Failure to Meet ABAWD Work Requirements

If the ABAWD would have met the required 80 hours a month, but missed work for good cause, the ABAWD can be considered to have met the ABAWD work requirement if the absence from work is temporary and the ABAWD retained his or her work activity. Good cause includes circumstances beyond the ABAWD’s control, such as, but not limited to:

·        illness;

·        illness of another household member that is serious enough to require the presence of the individual;

·        a household emergency: or

·        the unavailability of transportation

Example

Linda volunteers at an animal shelter an average of 25 hours per week.  In June she came down with the flu and was in the hospital for 2 weeks, unable to volunteer the required 80 hours per month. After her 2 week stay in the hospital Linda returned to her normal volunteer hours of 25 hours a week. Linda was considered to have met the ABAWD work Requirements for the month of June because she had an acceptable good cause reason, and her absence was temporary.

The ABAWD individual must provide proof of the good cause reason for failure to meet the ABAWD work requirements. When questionable, the eligibility worker will review the situation with the district office supervisor, or other designated individual prior to making a decision.  Final authority for whether the ABAWD has met a good cause reason for failure to meet ABAWD work requirements rests with the District Office Supervisor.

SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) Program

Participation in the SNAP E&T Program is optional so good cause reasons for failure to participate in the voluntary program are not applicable.

References: 7 CFR 273.7(e)(5); 7 CFR 273.7(i); 7 CFR 273.24(b)(2)