Revision 12-3; Effective July 1, 2012

TANF and SNAP

The Employment Services Program (ESP) consists of two programs. They are Choices for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) individuals and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) for SNAP individuals. Recipients must participate in these programs unless exempt. If a nonexempt member does not comply, he may be subject to a penalty that results in a full-family sanction for TANF and either a denial or disqualification for SNAP.

TANF

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) determine the level of Choices services to provide in each county according to available Choices resources. After coordination with state office, TWC and the LWDB designate a county to provide one of two service levels:

  • full service; or
  • minimum service.

Full Service Requirements

Each nonexempt TANF caretaker or second parent who lives in a full service Choices county must participate in Choices employment services if contacted. Nonexempt and exempt members in full service Choices counties may voluntarily participate in employment services at any time. Exempt individuals are eligible for the same services as nonexempt individuals.

Minimum Service Requirements

Individuals in minimum service Choices counties are exempt from participation requirements because of the lack of available Choices resources in the area (even when they are coded mandatory registrants). Individuals in minimum service counties may choose whether or not to participate in Choices services offered to them.

SNAP

Each nonexempt household member age 16 through 59 must be registered for employment services at initial certification.

Exception:

For expedited service, register the applicant being interviewed unless he is:

A—1811 Strikers and Employment and Training (E&T)

Revision 01-1; Effective January 1, 2001

SNAP

A striker must comply fully with the work registration requirement. He does not have to accept employment at a location subject to a strike or lock-out. If a strike is prohibited under either the Taft-Hartley or Railway Labor Acts, Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) considers this a continuing offer of suitable employment to the striker. Failure by the striker to return to this employment, for any reason, is failure to comply with work registration requirements. This makes the entire household ineligible.