USDA FNS SNAP E&T STATE PLAN

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM

Is the State’s E&T program administered at the State or county level?

	State
	County

PROGRAM CHANGES

CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM

State agencies must design the E&T program in consultation with the State workforce development board and operate the E&T program through the statewide workforce development system (7 CFR 273.7(c)(5)). The goal of this section is to explain the relationship between the State agency and other organizations it plans to consult and coordinate with for the provision of services, including organizations in the statewide workforce development system. The statewide workforce development system refers to a network of providers, which may include government and the public sector; community-based organizations and non-profits; employers and industry; occupational training providers; and post-secondary institutions, such as community colleges. Please note the State workforce development board is an entity that establishes Regional strategic plans and sets funding priorities for their area. They are distinct from State workforce agencies.

Consultation

Consultation with the workforce development system generally includes discussions to learn about services provided in the community and how each organization functions and coordinates with others in the community. State agencies can demonstrate they consulted with their State workforce development board by noting the dates of conversations, who they spoke with, what they spoke about, and how they incorporated this information into the design of their E&T program.

Did the State agency consult the State workforce development board?

	Yes
	No

Coordination

Coordination with the workforce development system consists of efforts to partner with workforce providers to directly serve SNAP E&T participants or to align the flow or types of services offered across programs.

Is SNAP E&T included as a partner in the State's WIOA Combined Plan?

	Yes
	No

CONSULTATION WITH INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS (ITOs)

State agencies are required to consult with Tribes about the SNAP State Plan of Operations, which includes the E&T State Plan, per 7 CFR 272.2(b) and 272.2(e)(7). The consultations must pertain to the unique needs of Tribal members. State agencies are required to document the availability of E&T programs for Tribal members living on reservations in accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(6)(xiii). The goal of this section is to describe how the State agency consulted with Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), describe the results of the consultation, and document the availability of E&T programs for Tribal members living on reservations.

Did the State agency consult with ITOs in the State?

	Yes
	Yes, but not all ITOs
	No
	There are no ITOs in my State

List the ITOs consulted and describe the outcomes of the consultation(s). Provide specific examples of how the State agency incorporated feedback from ITOs into the design of the E&T program (e.g. unique supportive service, new component, in-demand occupation). Include the title of the person you consulted and the date.

Date	Name of ITO	Title(s) of Person Consulted	Outcome of Consultation
06/26/2025	Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Yankton Sioux Tribe.	Chairman/Chairwoman, President, and staff	SNAP held it’s annual SNAP-specific tribal consultation in June, 2025. A letter was sent to each of the nine South Dakota tribes (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Yankton Sioux Tribe) explaining the consultation requirements, process and date and time. A point of contact as well as a phone number and e-mail address for each Tribal point of contact was utilized. Two tribes, one representative from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and one representative from the Yankton Sioux Tribe attended the consultation meeting. No feedback was received at the time of the consultation. We requested written questions, comments, suggestions, etc. within 30 days (July 26, 2025). No written comments were received for the state plans.

Will the State agency be seeking enhanced reimbursement for E&T services (75%) for ITO members who are residents of reservations, either on or off the reservation?

	Yes
	No

UTILIZATION OF STATE OPTIONS

State agencies have the flexibility to implement policy options to adapt and meet the unique needs of State populations. Check which options the State agency will implement.

Does the State agency offer an E&T program statewide?

	Yes
	No

Indicate the type of E&T program the State agency operates.

	Mandatory per 7 CFR 273.7(e)
	Voluntary per 7 CFR 273.7(e)(5)(i)
	Combination of mandatory and voluntary

Indicate which of these counties offer mandatory E&T programs. The counties that are not selected will be marked as voluntary.

	County Name		County Name		County Name
	Aurora County		Fall River County		McPherson County
	Beadle County		Faulk County		Meade County
	Bennett County		Grant County		Mellette County
	Bon Homme County		Gregory County		Miner County
	Brookings County		Haakon County		Minnehaha County
	Brown County		Hamlin County		Moody County
	Brule County		Hand County		Oglala Lakota County
	Buffalo County		Hanson County		Pennington County
	Butte County		Harding County		Perkins County
	Campbell County		Hughes County		Potter County
	Charles Mix County		Hutchinson County		Roberts County
	Clark County		Hyde County		Sanborn County
	Clay County		Jackson County		Spink County
	Codington County		Jerauld County		Stanley County
	Corson County		Jones County		Sully County
	Custer County		Kingsbury County		Todd County
	Davison County		Lake County		Tripp County
	Day County		Lawrence County		Turner County
	Deuel County		Lincoln County		Union County
	Dewey County		Lyman County		Walworth County
	Douglas County		Marshall County		Yankton County
	Edmunds County		McCook County		Ziebach County

Does the State agency serve the following populations? Select all that apply.

	Applicants per 7 CFR 273.7(e)(2)
	Exempt members of zero benefit households that volunteer for SNAP E&T per 7 CFR 273.10(e)(2)(iii)(B)(7)
	Categorically eligible households per 7 CFR 273.2(j)

Does the State agency enable ABAWDs to regain SNAP eligibility through E&T and verify that the ABAWD will meet the work requirement within 30 days?

	Yes
	No

CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY E&T

State agencies are required to include information about the categories and types of individuals they plan to exempt from mandatory E&T participation (7 CFR 273.7 (c)(6)(iv)), as well as the characteristics of the population they plan to place in E&T (7 CFR 273.7 (c)(6)(v)).

What are the characteristics of the population the State agency intends to serve in E&T (e.g. target population)? This question applies to both mandatory and voluntary participants.

	ABAWDs
	Homeless
	Veterans
	Students
	Single parents
	Returning citizens (aka: ex-offenders)
	Underemployed
	Those that reside in rural areas
	18-21 year old head of households

How frequently will the State plan to re-evaluate these exemptions from mandatory E&T?

	Annually
	Bi-annually
	Other

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

State agencies are required to include information on the organizational relationship between the units responsible for certification and the units operating the E&T components, including units of the statewide workforce development system, if available. For the purposes of the questions below, E&T providers are considered to include units of the statewide workforce development system. FNS is specifically interested in ensuring that the lines of communication are efficient and that, if applicable, noncompliance with mandatory E&T is reported to the certification unit within 10 working days after the noncompliance occurs, per 7 CFR 273.7(c)(4). State agencies must also include information on the relationship between the State agency and other organizations it plans to coordinate with for the provision of services.

The following questions are about how the E&T program is structured in your State agency.

How frequently does the State agency monitor E&T providers’ program and fiscal operations?

	Daily
	Weekly
	Monthly
	Quarterly
	Bi-Annually
	Annually
	Other

How frequently does the State agency evaluate the performance of providers in achieving the purpose of E&T?

	Daily
	Weekly
	Monthly
	Quarterly
	Bi-Annually
	Annually
	Other

SCREENING FOR WORK REGISTRATION

State agency eligibility staff must screen for federal exemptions from work registration, per 7 CFR 273.7(a).

At what point in the certification process does the State agency provide the written explanation of the applicable work requirements? Select all that apply.

	Point of Intake
	Point of Certification
	Reported change in the work registrant status of household members
	Point of Recertification
	State does not provide written explanation

At what point in the certification process does the State agency provide the oral explanation of the applicable work requirements? Select all that apply.

	Point of Intake
	Point of Certification
	Reported change in the work registrant status of household members
	Point of Recertification
	State does not provide oral explanation

SCREENING FOR REFERRAL TO E&T

The State agency must screen each work registrant to determine if it is appropriate, based on State-specific criteria, to refer them to the E&T program per 7 CFR 273.7 (c)(2). State agencies may operate program components in which individuals elect to participate, per 7 CFR 273.7(e)(4).

What is the State's model for screening and referral to SNAP E&T? Select all that apply.

	Reverse Referral
	Direct Referral

When does screening for referral to E&T occur? Select all that apply.

	Initial Certification
	Recertification
	Reported change in the work registrant status of households
	Other

Are participants informed about participant reimbursements before the individual is referred to E&T by eligibility staff?

	Yes
	No

REFERRAL TO E&T

In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(2), in order to participate in SNAP E&T, the State agency must make the referral. The referral method may vary from participant to participant.

What information does the State provide to E&T participants when they are referred? Select all that apply.

	Information about accessing E&T services
	Case Management
	Dates
	Contact information
	Other

How is the referral communicated? Select all that apply.

	Orally
	Electronic Forms
	Physical Forms
	Emails
	Text Messages
	Other

How does the State communicate to the SNAP participant that they are in SNAP E&T? Select all that apply.

	Orally
	Electronic Forms
	Physical Forms
	Emails
	Text Messages
	Other

How does the State communicate to the SNAP participant about their rights to receive participant reimbursements? Select all that apply.

	Orally
	Electronic Forms
	Physical Forms
	Emails
	Text Messages
	Other

After referral, what additional steps does the E&T participant take to access the program? Select all that apply.

	Assessment
	Orientation
	Meet with case manager
	Other

Is orientation mandatory?

	Yes
	No

Who runs the orientation? Select all that apply.

	State Agency
	Intermediary
	E&T Provider
	County or Local Office

How is the orientation conducted? Select all that apply.

	In Person
	Virtually
	Online
	Self-Paced
	Other

Explain the other methods used for orientation.

By phone

What happens during the orientation?

Once the first meeting/orientation is scheduled, the participant will appear via telephone, in-person, or virtually to complete the orientation where they are enrolled into E&T. This most commonly includes co-enrollment into WIOA and Wagner-Peyser, an Initial Assessment, an Objective Assessment, the creation of an Employment Plan, an explanation of and assessment for participant reimbursements, and youth WIOA incentives if applicable.

ASSESSMENT

Does the State require or provide an assessment?

	Yes
	No

Who conducts the assessment? Select all that apply.

	State Agency
	E&T Provider
	Self-Assessment
	Intermediary
	Local Office
	Other

When are participants assessed?

At orientation and each time an IEP is updated. Various other assessments are conducted as needed depending on the activity and case management needs.

Describe the assessment. List the tools used in the assessment.

The most commonly includes co-enrollment into WIOA and Wagner-Peyser, an Initial Assessment, an Objective Assessment and the creation of an Employment Plan

Does the assessment result in the completion of an individual employment plan?

	Yes
	No

How are assessment results shared with State agency staff? Select all that apply.

	Orally
	Electronic Forms
	Physical Forms
	MIS System
	Email
	Other
	Assessment is not shared with State agency staff

How are assessment results shared with E&T providers? Select all that apply.

	Orally
	Electronic Forms
	Physical Forms
	MIS System
	Email
	Other
	Assessment is not shared with E&T providers

How are assessment results shared with E&T participants? Select all that apply.

	Orally
	Electronic Forms
	Physical Forms
	Email
	Other
	Assessment is not shared with E&T participants

Are participants reassessed?

	Yes
	No

When are participants reassessed?

Participants are reassessed by meeting with case managers to update employment plans or progress through or into new activities.

How are participants reassessed?

Participants are reassessed every time an IEP is updated or anytime necessitated by an activity cycle.

CONCILIATION PROCESS

In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(3), State agencies have the option to offer a conciliation period to noncompliant E&T participants. The conciliation period provides mandatory E&T participants with an opportunity to comply before the State agency sends a notice of adverse action. The conciliation process is not a substitute for the determination of good cause when a client fails to comply.

Does the State agency offer a conciliation process?

	Yes
	No

CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

The State E&T program must provide case management services to all E&T participants. In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(6)(ii), State agencies are required to include specific information about the provision of case management services in the E&T State plan.

What types of E&T case management services will be offered to the participant? Select all that apply.

	Comprehensive Intake Assessments
	Individualized Service Plans
	Progress Monitoring
	Coordination with Service Providers
	Reassessment
	Other

Who delivers the case management services in your State? Select all that apply.

	SNAP State agency
	Local Office(s)
	Intermediary
	E&T Providers

How are case management services delivered in your State? Select all that apply.

	Group Meeting (virtual)
	Group Meeting (in person)
	Individual (virtual)
	Individual (in person)
	Phone
	Text
	Email
	Other

GOOD CAUSE

In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(i), the State agency is responsible for determining good cause when a SNAP recipient fails or refuses to comply with SNAP work requirements. Since it is not possible for FNS to enumerate each individual situation that should or should not be considered good cause, the State agency must take into account the facts and circumstances, including information submitted by the employer and by the household member involved, in determining whether or not good cause exists.

How does the State agency reach out to the SNAP participant to determine good cause? Select all that apply.

	Phone Call
	Email
	Text Message
	Physical Form

How does the State agency reach out to the employers to determine good cause? Select all that apply.

	Phone Call
	Email
	Text Message
	Physical Form

How does the State agency reach out to E&T providers to determine good cause? Select all that apply.

	Phone Call
	Email
	Text Message
	Physical Form
	MIS System

How many attempts are made to reach out to the SNAP participant for additional information?

	One
	Two
	Three
	More than three

PROVIDER DETERMINATIONS

In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(18) a State agency must ensure that E&T providers are informed of their authority and responsibility to determine if an individual is ill-suited for a particular E&T component.

What is the timeframe for contacting clients after receiving a provider determination?

	1-3 Days
	4-7 Days
	8-10 Days

DISQUALIFICATION POLICY FOR GENERAL WORK REQUIREMENTS

This section applies to the General Work Requirements, not just to E&T, and should be completed by all States, regardless of whether they operate a mandatory or voluntary E&T program.

All work registrants are subject to SNAP work requirements at 7 CFR 273.7(a). A nonexempt individual who refuses or fails to comply without good cause, as defined at 7 CFR 273.7(2), (3), and (4), with SNAP work requirements will be disqualified and subject to State disqualification periods. Noncompliance with SNAP work requirements includes voluntarily quitting a job or reducing work hours below 30 hours a month, and failing to comply with SNAP E&T (if assigned by the State agency).

What period before application does the State agency use to determine voluntary quit and/or reduction in work effort without good cause per 7 CFR 273.7(j)(1)?

	30 Days
	60 Days

For all occurrences of non-compliance discussed below, must the individual also comply to receive benefits again?

	Yes
	No

For the first occurrence of non-compliance per 7 CFR 273.7(f)(2), the individual will be disqualified until the later of:

	One month or until the individual complies, as determined by the State agency
	Up to 3 months

For the second occurrence of non-compliance per 7 CFR 273.7(f)(2)(ii), the individual will be disqualified until the later of:

	Three months or until the individual complies, as determined by the State agency
	Up to 6 months

For the third or subsequent occurrence per 7 CFR 273.7(f)(2)(iii), the individual will be disqualified until the later of:

	6 months or until the individual complies, as determined by the State agency
	A date determined by the State agency
	Permanently

The State agency will disqualify the:

	Individual
	The entire household if the head of household is an ineligible individual

PARTICIPANT REIMBURSEMENTS

In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(d)(4), State agencies are required to pay for or reimburse participants for expenses that are reasonable, necessary, and directly related to participation in E&T. State agencies may impose a maximum limit for reimbursement payments. If a State agency serves mandatory E&T participants, it must meet all costs associated with mandatory participation. If an individual's expenses exceed those reimbursements available by the State agency, the individual must be placed into a suitable component or must be exempted from mandatory E&T.

PARTICIPANT REIMBURSEMENT DETAILS

Complete the table below with information on each participant reimbursement offered/permitted by the State agency (do not indicate information for each provider). A description of each category is included below. If the participant reimbursement is provided by multiple entities (such as State agencies and E&T providers) or has multiple methods of payment, a separate entry in the table must be completed.

• Allowable Participant Reimbursements. Every State agency must include child care and transportation in this table, as well as other major categories of reimbursements (examples of categories include, but are not limited to: tools, test fees, books, uniforms, license fees, electronic devices, etc.). Mandatory States must meet all costs associated with participating in an E&T program, or else they must exempt individuals from E&T.
• Participant Reimbursement Caps (optional). States have the option to establish maximum levels (caps) for reimbursements available to individuals. Indicate any caps on the amount the State agency will provide for the participant reimbursement.
• Who provides the participant reimbursements? Indicate if the participant reimbursement is provided by the State agency, a provider, or an intermediary. The State agency remains ultimately responsible for ensuring individuals receive participant reimbursements, even if it has contracted with another entity to provide them.
• What is the payment method for Participant Reimbursements? Indicate the mechanism used to disburse payment to E&T participants.
• Method of disbursement. Indicate if the participant receives the participant reimbursement in advance or as a reimbursement. Also indicate if the amount of the participant reimbursement is an estimated amount or the actual amount.

Is dependent care provided? Select yes even if E&T funds are not being used.

	Yes
	No

WORK REGISTRANT DATA

The SNAP general work requirements are described at 7 CFR 273.7(a). Individuals who do not meet a federal exemption from the general work requirements, as listed in 7 CFR 273.7(b)(1), are subject to the general work requirement and must register for work. In accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(c)(10), the State agency must submit to FNS the number of work registrants in the State as of October 1st. This information is submitted on the first quarter E&T Program Activity Report (FNS-583).

OUTCOME REPORTING MEASURES

Indicate the data source used for the national reporting measures. Select all that apply.

Outcome Reporting Measures	Employment & Earnings Measures	Attainment of Credential / Certificate	Measurable Skill Gains
Quarterly Wage Records (QWR)
National Directory of New Hires (NDNH)
State Management Information System (MIS)
Manual Follow-up with SNAP E&T Participants
Random Sample
Other

Indicate the data source used for the State-specific component measures. Select all that apply.

	Quarterly Wage Records (QWR)
	National Directory of New Hires (NDNH)
	State Management Information System (MIS)
	Manual Follow-up with SNAP E&T Participants
	Random Sample

Indicate the methods used to manually follow up. Select all that apply.

	Verbal Contact
	Physical Forms
	Text
	Email

Describe the process for manual follow up.

DLR completes follow-ups as part of their case exit for WIOA. Case exit for E&T and WIOA will not always align. For WIOA follow-ups, Employment Specialists make up to three contact attempts via phone, email, text, or mail each quarter for one year after exit. Follow-up attempts are discontinued if a customer cannot be reached or requests not to be contacted.

COMPONENTS OVERVIEW

Which non-education, non-work components does the State agency plan to offer? Select all that apply.

	Job Retention
	Job Search Training
	Self-Employment Training
	Supervised Job Search
	Workfare

Which educational components does the State agency plan to offer? Select all that apply.

	Basic / Foundational Skills Instruction
	Career / Technical Education Programs or other Vocational Training
	English Language Acquisition
	Integrated Education and Training / Bridge Programs
	Other Educational Program
	Work Readiness Training

Which work experience components does the State agency plan to offer? Select all that apply.

	Work Activity
	Work-Based Learning

Which type of Work-Based Learning components are offered?

	Apprenticeship
	Customized Training
	Incumbent Worker Training
	Internship
	On-the-job Training
	Pre-Apprenticeship
	Transitional Jobs

CONTRACTS OVERVIEW

The State agency must enter every contract or third-party partner. Additionally, the State agency must report if an intermediary directly holds subcontracts with employment and training providers for the delivery of SNAP E&T services. The table below summarizes overall information across all contracts.

CONTRACTOR: CATHOLIC CHARITIES (CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES)

Is this Contractor an Intermediary with subcontractors?

	Yes
	No

Indicate the service type

	Consulting
	E&T Services
	Automation/IT
	Marketing
	Other

Will this E&T service be offered statewide?

	Yes
	No

Indicate the counties where the service is offered by this contractor.

	County Name		County Name		County Name
	Aurora County		Fall River County		McPherson County
	Beadle County		Faulk County		Meade County
	Bennett County		Grant County		Mellette County
	Bon Homme County		Gregory County		Miner County
	Brookings County		Haakon County		Minnehaha County
	Brown County		Hamlin County		Moody County
	Brule County		Hand County		Oglala Lakota County
	Buffalo County		Hanson County		Pennington County
	Butte County		Harding County		Perkins County
	Campbell County		Hughes County		Potter County
	Charles Mix County		Hutchinson County		Roberts County
	Clark County		Hyde County		Sanborn County
	Clay County		Jackson County		Spink County
	Codington County		Jerauld County		Stanley County
	Corson County		Jones County		Sully County
	Custer County		Kingsbury County		Todd County
	Davison County		Lake County		Tripp County
	Day County		Lawrence County		Turner County
	Deuel County		Lincoln County		Union County
	Dewey County		Lyman County		Walworth County
	Douglas County		Marshall County		Yankton County
	Edmunds County		McCook County		Ziebach County

Which E&T Services are offered by this contractor?

	Basic / Foundational Skills Instruction
	Career / Technical Education Programs or other Vocational Training
	Case Management Services
	Job Search Training
	Supervised Job Search
	WBL - Internship
	WBL - On-the-job Training
	Workfare

Annual Number of SNAP E&T Participants to be Served

15

Are participant reimbursements provided by the Contractor?

	Yes
	No

Total participant reimbursements costs (inclusive of federal and non-federal shares)

$50,000.00

Amount of 100 percent Federal Funds (includes ABAWD Pledge Funds)

$0.00

Total Amount of 50/50 (or 75/25) Admin Funds (inclusive of federal and non-federal shares)

$58,000.00

Will this contract serve members of Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and be reimbursed at 75%?

	Yes
	No

CONTRACTOR: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND REGULATION

Is this Contractor an Intermediary with subcontractors?

	Yes
	No

Indicate the service type

	Consulting
	E&T Services
	Automation/IT
	Marketing
	Other

Will this E&T service be offered statewide?

	Yes
	No

Which E&T Services are offered by this contractor?

	Basic / Foundational Skills Instruction
	Career / Technical Education Programs or other Vocational Training
	Case Management Services
	Job Search Training
	Supervised Job Search
	WBL - Internship
	WBL - On-the-job Training
	Workfare

Annual Number of SNAP E&T Participants to be Served

254

Are participant reimbursements provided by the Contractor?

	Yes
	No

Total participant reimbursements costs (inclusive of federal and non-federal shares)

$25,926.00

Amount of 100 percent Federal Funds (includes ABAWD Pledge Funds)

$204,676.00

Total Amount of 50/50 (or 75/25) Admin Funds (inclusive of federal and non-federal shares)

$0.00

Will this contract serve members of Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and be reimbursed at 75%?

	Yes
	No

OPERATING BUDGET

The regulations at 7 CFR 273.7(c)(6) outline State agencies must include an operating budget for the year. Complete all cost categories, as applicable. Note that the cost categories, outside of the contractual or county administered program line items, apply only to the State agency costs. The calculated values will automatically display upon selecting the Quick Save button.

FUNDING SOURCES

Fields for the Funding Sources section will populate from other sections, such as the Operating Budget section or annual allocations decided by FNS OET.

The system will provide the States 100 percent allocation as well as the target for the total 50/50 funds, as provided in the annual E&T final allocation memo.

State agencies may enter funds into the field "100 Percent Federal Grant - Additional Funds" for planning purposes. This field must be blank before initial submission. State agencies that wish to request additional 100% funds can do so via the Funding Requests tab. If the request is approved, State agencies will see the approved amount populated in this field, and a new State Plan Amendment must be submitted.

The system utilizes a formula that distributes administrative costs to the various funding sources (i.e. 100 percent Federal, 50 percent Federal Admin and 50 percent Non-Federal Admin.) The formula also establishes a funding hierarchy for the use of all available 100 percent Federal funds. This funding hierarchy will assign the planned administrative expenses against the regular 100 Federal grant first, then depending upon availability, against additional 100 percent funds, able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) pledge funds, if applicable. Any planned costs over the available 100 percent funds will be evenly distributed against the 50 percent Admin funds.

The planned expenses shown for the field "100% Federal Grant" will be inclusive of the formula allocation, as well as any additional Federal funds approved. Fields in the column “Distribution of Planned Expenses” are populated from the planned expenses table. States can use this table to extrapolate figures, but cannot submit the form until 100% of Federal additional funds under the "Allocation or Target" column has been removed.

PLEDGE TO SERVE ALL ABAWDS

The Act authorizes FNS to allocate $20 million annually to State agencies that commit, or pledge, to ensuring the availability of education, training, or workfare opportunities that permit able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) to remain eligible beyond the 3-month time limit.

To be eligible for these additional funds (pledge funds), State agencies must pledge to offer and provide an opportunity in a work program that meets the participation requirements of 7 CFR 273.24 to every applicant and recipient who is in the last month of the 3-month time limit and not otherwise exempt. Individuals are exempt from the time limit if they meet an exception under 7 CFR 273.24(c), reside in an area covered by a waiver in accordance with 7 CFR 273.24(f), or who are exempted by the State under 7 CFR 273.24(g).

Is the State agency pledging to offer qualifying activities to all ABAWDs subject to the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i)?

	Yes
	No

Pledge Assurances

Check the boxes to indicate that the State agency understands and agrees to comply with the following provisions, per 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3).

	The State agency will use the pledge funds to defray the costs of offering every ABAWD who meets the criteria in 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i) a slot in a qualifying component.
	The cost of serving ABAWDs is not an acceptable reason for failing to live up to the pledge. The State agency will make a slot available and the ABAWD must be served even if the State agency exhausts all of its 100 percent Federal funds and must use State funds.
	While a participating State agency may use a portion of the additional funding to provide E&T services to ABAWDs who do not meet the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i), the State agency guarantees that ABAWDs who do meet the criteria are provided with opportunities by the State agency each month to remain eligible beyond the 3-month time limit.
	The State agency will notify FNS immediately if it realizes that it cannot obligate or expend its entire share of the ABAWD allocated funds, so that FNS may make those funds available to other participating pledge States within the fiscal year.
	The State agency will be ready on October 1st to offer and provide qualifying activities and services each month an ABAWD is subject to losing their benefits beyond the 3-month time limit.

Where will the State agency offer qualifying activities?

	Statewide
	Limited areas of the State

How does the State agency identify ABAWDs in the State eligibility system?

Our eligibility system has a set of rules in place to identify an individual as an ABAWD.

How does the State agency identify ABAWDs who meet the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i)?

Our eligibility system runs a report to identify at-risk ABAWDs throughout the state. This is pulled monthly and is an automated report.

When is the offer of qualifying activities made?

The EABS first informs the ABAWD of the opportunity to participate in a qualifying component at application and renewal. If an ABAWD is mandatory to participate the applicant will be notified at the interview through the mandatory process via the warm handoff. If the ABAWD is voluntary, the participant can say they would like to participate or the participant can chose not to participate. If they would like to participate, the individual is referred to DLR through a code on the ACCESS system. DLR will contact them first by phone, then by email or mail if they cannot reach the person by phone within one to two weeks after receiving the referral. If the individual is not mandatory and does not want to participate, they will not be referred to DLR or contacted by DLR.

Additionally, the offer of a qualifying component is also made when the ABAWD incurs their first countable month. A notice is automatically generated through the ACCESS eligibility system and notifies the ABAWD of their opportunity at a workfare site or an appropriate training and education slot. This contact will occur regardless of whether the individual expressed interest in participation or not.

ABAWDs also receive a notice in their third countable month which offers a qualifying work opportunity prior to closure.

How is the offer of qualifying activities made? Include the process the State agency uses to ensure that ABAWDs receive an offer of a qualifying component for every month they are in jeopardy of losing benefits beyond the 3-month time limit.

The EABS first informs the ABAWD of the opportunity to participate in a qualifying component at application and renewal. If an ABAWD is mandatory to participate the applicant will be notified at the interview through the mandatory process via the warm handoff. If the ABAWD is voluntary, the participant can say they would like to participate or the participant can chose not to participate. If they would like to participate, the individual is referred to DLR through a code on the ACCESS system. DLR will contact them first by phone, then by email or mail if they cannot reach the person by phone within one to two weeks after receiving the referral. If the individual is not mandatory and does not want to participate, they will not be referred to DLR or contacted by DLR.

Additionally, the offer of a qualifying component is also made when the ABAWD incurs their first countable month. A notice is automatically generated through the ACCESS eligibility system and notifies the ABAWD of their opportunity at a workfare site or an appropriate training and education slot. This contact will occur regardless of whether the individual expressed interest in participation or not.

ABAWDs also receive a notice in their third countable month which offers a qualifying work opportunity prior to closure.

The next set of questions is intended to establish the State agency's overall capacity and ability to serve all ABAWDs subject to the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i) during the fiscal year through the services available in SNAP E&T as well as through other qualifying activities available through other Federal or State employment and training programs. In addition to SNAP E&T components, qualifying activities for ABAWDs include programs that operate outside of SNAP E&T. Such as Optional Workfare programs, WIOA title I programs, programs under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974, Veterans employment and training programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Labor, and Workforce Partnerships in accordance with 7 CFR 273.7(n).

What services and activities will be provided through SNAP E&T to ABAWDs that the State plans to serve?

	Basic / Foundational Skills Instruction
	Career / Technical Education Programs or other Vocational Training
	Internship
	Job Search Training
	On-the-job Training
	Supervised Job Search
	Workfare

What services and activities will be provided outside of SNAP E&T? List the services, activities, and the operating program, such as title 1 of WIOA.

E&T participants will be co-enrolled into Wagner-Peyser and WIOA programs. If eligible, they will have access to fundable activities and supports through applicable programs administered at DLR.

To pledge, State agencies must have capacity to offer a qualifying activity to every ABAWD for every month they are in jeopardy of losing benefits beyond the 3-month time limit. What is the State agency's plan if more ABAWDs than expected choose to take advantage of the offer of a qualifying activity? For instance, how will the State agency ensure the availability of more slots? What steps has the State agency taken to guarantee a slot through agreements or other arrangements with providers?

With the many qualifying components that are available to at-risk ABAWDs, we can ensure that enough slots are available. In the event that we’d have more at-risk ABAWDs than the allocated E&T staff could handle, we would arrange to have more staff dedicated to E&T to fill the need.

QUESTION	RESPONSE FIELD
How many ABAWDs did you serve in E&T in the previous fiscal year?	137
Anticipated number of ABAWDs in the State	6,526
Anticipated number of ABAWDs in the State who meet the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i)	6,426
Number of ABAWDs subject to the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i) averaged monthly	536

Available Qualifying Activities

When considering all the qualifying activities that the pledging State agency intends to offer to ABAWDs who meet the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i), provide a projected estimate for each category below.

Available Qualifying Activities	Expected average monthly slots available to ABAWDs	Expected average monthly slots offered to ABAWDs	Expected monthly ABAWD participation for plan year
SNAP E&T	80	80	12
All other programs outside of SNAP E&T	0	0	0
Total slots across all qualifying activities	80	80	12

Estimated Cost to Fulfill Pledge

QUESTION	RESPONSE FIELD
What is the projected total cost to serve all ABAWDs in your State subject to the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i)?	$150,000.00
Of the total cost above, what is the total projected administrative costs of E&T?	$100,000.00
Of the total cost above, what is the total projected costs for participant reimbursements in E&T?	$0.00

Explain the methodology used to determine the total cost to fulfill the pledge.

South Dakota would serve all ABAWDs by continuing with services to the laptop lending program with DLR to include maintenance and service to the devices made available at DLR of $7,500. South Dakota would enhance the website with additional information, success stories, and bring social media to the forefront. This would help to reach the 18-21 year old mandatory population with information and resources for $42,500.00.