SR 18-26 Dated 09/18 |
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION – Division of Family Assistance (DFA)
FROM OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, DEHS: |
Mark Jewell |
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DEHS SIGNATURE DATE: |
August 15, 2018 |
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AT (OFFICE): |
Division of Economic and Housing Stability (DEHS) |
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TO: |
District Office Supervisors |
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SUBJECT: |
Clarification of “Workfare” Within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
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EFFECTIVE DATE: |
September 4, 2018 |
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SUMMARY
This SR releases a clarification of the term “workfare” within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The term “workfare” has been removed in relation to able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements because “workfare” was inaccurately defined as “volunteer work for an agency.” Remaining references to “workfare” are solely in relation to state or local assistance programs for work performed as a prerequisite for receiving general assistance.
FORMER POLICY |
NEW POLICY |
Two uses of “workfare”: 1) work performed as a prerequisite for receiving general assistance from state or local assistance programs; and 2) volunteer work for an agency (in relation to ABAWD work requirements).
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One use of “workfare”: 1) work performed as a prerequisite for receiving general assistance from state or local assistance programs. |
FORMER POLICY |
CLARIFIED POLICY |
ABAWDs who are not exempt must complete 20 hours of ABAWD activities per week averaged monthly or the month will count against the 3-month limit on ABAWDs receiving SNAP without complying with ABAWD requirements. |
ABAWDs who are not exempt must complete 80 hours of ABAWD activities per month or the month will count against the 3-month limit on ABAWDs receiving SNAP without complying with ABAWD requirements. |
POLICY
One option ABAWDs have to meet work requirement hours is to volunteer. Volunteering, whether it is for an agency or within the community, is not synonymous with workfare. (Some states do have ABAWD workfare programs; NH does NOT.)
The Food Stamp Manual, the New HEIGHTS ‘ABAWD Clock’ screen, and New HEIGHTS–generated notices have been updated to edit for proper use of the term workfare and to clarify the types of activities that meet ABAWD work requirements and the 80-hour-per-month work minimum.
The Food Stamp Manual was also updated to clarify that the ABAWD work requirement is a monthly 80-hour requirement.
NEW HEIGHTS & NH EASY SYSTEMS PROCEDURES AND IMPLEMENTATION
New HEIGHTS Screen Changes
Within the “ABAWD Clock” screen, the “If Yes, Type:” drop-down menu under the heading “Work Activity Information:” has been edited to remove reference to workfare, as well as to clarify the categories of allowable ABAWD work activities. In addition, the question “Did the individual work an average of 80 hours in a calendar month?” has been added.
New HEIGHTS–Generated Notices
SNAP Notice of Decision notices were edited to remove reference to workfare as one of the options to meet ABAWD work requirements, as well as to clarify the ABAWD work requirements overall. This edited text occurs under the heading titled “SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP; FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM) CLIENTS.” The revised ABAWD message is attached for reference.
DESCRIPTION OF REVISIONS MADE TO FORMS
No form revisions are necessary.
POLICY MANUAL REVISIONS
Revised Food Stamp Manual Topics
PART 245 ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS (ABAWDS)
Section 245.05 ABAWD Work Requirements
Section 245.15 Verification Requirements
IMPLEMENTATION
The policy released in this SR will be effective September 4, 2018.
CLIENT NOTIFICATION
No special client notification is planned or needed.
TRAINING
No special training is planned or needed.
DISPOSITION
This SR may be destroyed or deleted after its contents have been noted and the revised manual topics released by this SR have been posted to the On-line manuals.
DISTRIBUTION
This SR will be distributed according to the electronic distribution list for BFA policy releases. This SR, and revised On-Line Manuals, will be available for agency staff in the On-Line Manual Library, and for public access on the Internet at www.dhhs.nh.gov/dfa/publications.htm, effective September 4, 2018. Additionally, this SR, and printed pages with posting instructions, will be distributed under separate cover to all internal hard copy holders of the Food Stamp Manual.
DFA/JSC:s