Overview
Effective January 1, 2016, the Florida Legislature and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service mandated that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program become a mandatory program. Participation by each Able-Bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD) as determined by the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) is required. The program is designed to assist individuals who have applied for or receiving Food Assistance benefits in obtaining employment. The purpose of the E&T is to help SNAP households gain skills, training, work experience that will increase self-sufficiency.
When an individual applies for and/or is receiving Food Assistance benefits, DCF will determine if the applicant meets the criteria for being required to participate in work activities to continue receiving their food assistance. In Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla counties, CareerSource Capital Region provides a variety of services and oversees completion of an ABAWD’s mandatory hours. Please remember that the ABAWD must complete 80 hours per month in their allowable mandatory activities.
Who is an ABAWD and required to participate?
Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs) who meet the following criteria are required to participate in work activities in order to maintain eligibility for food assistance:
- Age 18-49
- Not working at least 30 hours a week
- Not earning weekly wages of at least $217.50 a week
- Not in school at least half-time
- No documented medical limitation
Individuals not considered ABAWDs as not required to participate in work activities to maintain eligibility for food assistance:
- Under the age of 18 or over the age of 50
- Documented medically unable to work
- Receiving disability benefits
- A parent (natural, step, adoptive) of dependent under age of 18
- Living with household member under the age of 18
- Caring for incapacitated person
- Receiving or have applied for reemployment assistance and complying with work requirements
- Participating in a drug/alcohol addiction program (not Narcotics/Alcohol Anonymous (NA/AA)
- Employed or self-employed over 30 hours weekly or making more than $217.50 per week
- A student enrolled at least half time in a school to include training program or institution of higher education
- Pregnant
- Obviously physically or mentally unable to work
If you feel that you have been referred in error, please notify DCF immediately via the contact information below.
Contact your local DCF Office:
Phone: (866) 762-2237 Fax: (866) 940-7126
Website: www.myflorida.com/accessflorida.com
Leon & Wakulla Counties
2810 Sharer Road
Unit 24
Tallahassee, FL 32312
Gadsden County
6 South Key Street
Quincy, FL 32351
EBT Phone - Toll Free: (888) 356-3281 www.ebtaccounts.jpmorgans.com
LET'S GET STARTED:
Your first step in getting started with the SNAP E&T program will be to complete Steps 1 and 2 below. If you have already done so, congratulations on completing the State’s Online Orientation, Assessment and start of your Workfare Job Search Training to comply with the SNAP E&T Program.
If you have not completed and are an Abled-Bodied Adult without Dependents or have been classified an ABAWD by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), please go to Step 1 below to complete your SNAP Orientation, Assessment :
Step 1: Complete the program orientation and assessment online (must be completed within 10 days).
Go online to the link below to complete your SNAP E&T program orientation and assessment. It will generally take you 45 minutes to an hour to complete. You are required to complete the SNAP E&T program orientation and assessment within 10 days from notification or start of your food assistance benefits. Please ensure to complete fully and review each screen carefully to meet all requirements of the online program orientation and assessment. You may visit a CareerSource Capital Region Career Center (see locations below) to access a computer and get staff assistance. Then please move to Step 2.
Click here to Get Started - http://osstclient.deo.myflorida.com
If you need assistance logging in, please follow the instructions at the link above. If you need additional assistance please contact us.
Step 2: Upon completing the Orientation and Assessment, you will be directed to Job Search Training modules. You must complete all modules on the site.
Additionally, during your first 30 days from notification or start of your food assistance benefits, you must attend an Initial Engagement Session at CareerSource Capital Region (Step 3). We encourage you to complete Steps 2 & 3 before your 3rd week to avoid being in jeopardy of losing your food assistance benefits.
Step 3: Attend an Initial Engagement Session at CareerSource Capital Region during the days and times below.
Due to the immense volume of SNAP E&T participants or ABAWDs that will be referred by the Department of Children and Families, CareerSource Capital Region has set up group Initial Engagement Sessions. At a group session, you will be required to:
- Complete additional engagement forms and
- Most importantly be assigned your next SNAP E&T activities to remain in compliance with the program’s mandatory requirements.
Seating may be limited due to the immense volume anticipated, so please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. Seating will be on a first come, first served basis. When our seating is full, all remaining SNAP E&T participants will be scheduled for the next session.
SNAP E&T locations and Initial Engagement Sessions in Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla Counties:
Quincy Center
1140 W. Clark Street
Quincy, FL 32351
Initial Engagement Sessions:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 10:30am
Tallahassee Center
2601 Blairstone Rd. Bldg. C, Suite 200
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Initial Engagement Sessions:
Thursdays: 10:00am
Crawfordville Center
2932 Crawfordville Hwy
Crawfordville, FL 32327
Initial Engagement Sessions:
Thursdays: 3:00pm
Please remember that as an ABAWD you must complete 80 hours per month in an allowable SNAP activities to maintain your SNAP benefits. Your participation documentation; such as, timesheets and/or job search logs should be submitted by the 15th and 30th to ensure sufficient time to update the system and reflect recorded hours within your MY TESS account!
Transportation Reimbursement Assistance:
If you are interested in receiving Food Stamp Reimbursement (FSR) to help off-set the cost of transportation, please discuss with your Career Navigator.