To comply with Federal reporting requirements, even though participation in SNAP activities is voluntary, each individual receiving SNAP benefits must be tracked in CIS with an appropriate ETP Status Code which include:
30 Does not meet any exemption criterion. Use this code for individuals who do not meet an exemption even if they choose to volunteer;
40 Use this code for individuals who meet an exemption and volunteer. OR
Enter only the corresponding exemption code for individual’s who meet an exemption and do not volunteer.
See Section 535.32 - Individuals Who Meet An Exemption
When an individual does not meet an exemption the CAO will enter in CIS ETP Status Code 30. This ETP Status Code should not be changed even if the individual volunteers to participate in SNAP activities. ETP Status Code 30 allows the Department to report to the federal government the number of SNAP only recipients who are considered work registered.
A household member who does not meet an exemption is coded ETP Status Code 30 and does not have an hourly participation requirement. If this individual volunteers to participate in SNAP activities he/she must agree to “participate for the hours of the program.” This should be recorded on the individual’s Employment Development Plan (EDP).
7 CFR § 273.7(e)
Because SNAP E&T is voluntary CAOs are not required to complete a system referral to CareerLink. An individual may, volunteer for CareerLink services as well as any of the activities identified in Appendix A, SNAP Employment and Training Activities.. A referral to CareerLink is system generated by data entry of an A project on CSPREN and an Activity code 01 on CSIETP when an individual volunteers to participate in that activity.
OPS 160902 Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependants (ABAWD) Receiving Veteran Affairs (VA) Benefits
When an individual meets an exemption, the corresponding ETP Status Code must be entered in CIS. Enter only the corresponding exemption code for individuals who meet an exemption and do not volunteer.
7 CFR § 273.7(b)
The CAO must change the ETP Status Code to 40 if the individual later decides to volunteer to participate in SNAP activities
The exemption codes provide the Department with data necessary for Federal reporting requirements. Exempt codes include:
01— under age 16
02— 60 years of age or older
03—physically or mentally unfit for employment, including individuals claiming Domestic Violence or those referred to/participating in a drug/alcohol program
NOTE: Verify the disability if it is not obvious. A statement from a physician, psychologist, physician assistant or certified registered nurse practitioner or proof that a person is receiving disability benefits or has applied for SSI, is acceptable verification.
04—Person needed in home to care for another household member who is ill or incapacitated
06—Full time VISTA volunteer (Title I DVSA)
10---Individual is pregnant in 2nd or 3rd trimester. Pregnancy has been medically verified.
55 Pa. Code § 501.6(b)(3)
12—Individual is nonexempt or volunteer under TANF cash category. (ETP 60 or 61)
13—Individual is 16 or 17 years of age and must meet one of the following conditions: not head of household, enrolled in an employment training program at least half time, or attending school.
14—Individual applied for or is receiving unemployment compensation.
15--Individual is expected to return to work within 60 days.
55 Pa. Code § 501.6(b)(2)
16--Individual is homeless.
55 Pa. Code § 501.6(b)(1)
17—Individual receives weekly earnings that are equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage times 30 hours per week or works 30 hours per week or more
18—Individual cares for child under age six.
19--Individual’s travel time is more than two hours, round trip, from employment, education or training site
55 Pa. Code § 501.6(b)(4)
20—Individual enrolled in school or training at least half time.
21—Individual is a migrant or seasonal farmworker under contract with an employer or crew chief to begin work within 30 days.
23--Individual receives expedited SNAP benefits.
NOTE: Code 23 is used only for NCE expedited SNAP authorizations when the CAO is unable to determine that another code is more appropriate.
The CAO will review the ETP Status Code when a change is reported to see if an update is necessary. See Chapter 570, Reporting Changes, to determine which changes must be reported.
7 CFR § 273.7(b)(2)
The CAO will review ETP Status Codes to ensure accuracy at every renewal
Reissued September 19, 2016 ; Replacing October 2, 2015