Colorado Food Stamp Work Registration

Colorado Food Stamp Work Registration

COLORADO FOOD ASSISTANCE WORK REGISTRATION

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Part A: In order for you and your household to receive food assistance, all members of your household who are between 16 and 60 years of age must be work registered (unless exempt – See Work Registration Exemptions on the reverse side). Failure to complete the requirements listed below, without good cause, may cause a loss or reduction of food assistance benefits.

To receive food assistance, all non-exempt members of the household are required to:

  1. Work register by signing the Food Assistance application.
  1. Report to the Employment First Program on the date and time the Food Assistance office schedules you for an appointment.
  1. Participate in all activities assigned by the Employment First office.
  1. Attend all scheduled appointments and complete all tasks assigned by Employment First.
  1. Provide information to the Food Assistance office or the Employment First Program about any current employment or availability for work.
  1. Interview for a suitable job that may be arranged by Employment First or other; accept any offer of suitable employment. (See Suitable Employment defined on the reverse)

Part B: Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDS)

If you are between the ages of 18 and 49, and have no children under 18 in your food assistance household, you can only receive benefits for three months during a three-year period unless you do one of the following each month:

  1. Participate for 20 or more hours a week in Employment First, which may include documenting hours spent in the following activities:

Education

Employability Classes

English as a Second Language

Part-time Work

Vocational Training

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Training

  1. Participate in your county’s Workfare Program.

If you are disqualified because you received your three (3) months of benefits, you can regain eligibility at any time by contacting Employment First and participating as shown above. Your Employment First office can be found on the CDHS website: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDHS-SelfSuff/CBON/1251581773899

Disqualifications

If you fail to meet the requirements in Part A and/or Part B, or you quit a job/or reduce working hours below 30 hours a week without good cause, you may be disqualified from receiving food assistance benefits as follows:

  • First disqualification period = one month and the date the participant complies.
  • Second disqualification period = three months and the date the participant complies.
  • Third and all subsequent disqualifications = six months and the date the participant complies.

You have the right to a fair hearing to appeal the food assistance decision as to whether or not you or a member of your household is exempt from work registration, or to explain that you had good cause for failing to participate with Employment First. You can appeal a decision regarding the activity to which you were assigned. You can appeal a decision that a job referral was to suitable employment, or any other action that affects your benefits.

Able Bodied Adult Exemptions from Work Requirement

Individuals do not have to meet work requirements if under 18 years old or over 60 years old or exempt due to one of the following exemptions:

  • Is pregnant
  • Physically or mentally unfit for employment (medically verified or designated through state policy guidance).
  • Disabled and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security benefits (SSA) or any percent of Veteran Assistance benefits (VA)
  • Residing in a household with a member who is under 18 years of age. This exemption refers to living in a house with children under 18 years who are or could be members of the Food Assistance household case but who may be ineligible to participate in the SNAP program.

Work Registration Exemptions:

  • Responsible for the care of a dependent child under age six or an incapacitated person
  • Employed or self-employed if working 30 hours a week or earning at least the minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours a week
  • Applying for or receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB), Colorado Works (TANF), or Colorado Refugee Service Program (CRSP). You are also exempt if you are continuing to meet UIB reporting requirements while appealing a denial or disqualification.
  • Enrolled in High School or attending community college, GED, trade school or university at least half time and working 20 hours per week
  • Regular participating in a drug/alcohol treatment program
  • Is determined to be mentally or physically unfit (designated through state policy guidance).
  • Participating in Vocational Rehabilitation, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) or Trade Adjustment Assistance Act Program at the time you apply for Food Assistance
  • A 16- or 17-year old who is head of a household is exempt only if attending school or enrolled in an employment and training program at least ½ time
  • Job Attached (Employer letter stating return to work within 60 days is required)
  • Disabled and receiving or having applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Disabled and receiving Social Security benefits (SSA) or any percent of Veteran Assistance benefits (VA).
  • Persons Caring for Children and Incapacitated Household Members
  • Persons Under Age Eighteen (18)

Suitable Employment:

  • The wage offered is at least the federal minimum wage or 80% of federal minimum wage if applicable. If the wage is by piece rate, the employee can be expected to earn at least minimum wage.
  • The job does not require joining, resigning from or refraining from any legitimate labor organization. The job site is not subject to a strike or lockout (unless the strike has been enjoined under the Taft-Hartley Act or Railway Labor Act).
  • There is no unreasonable risk to health or safety. The job can be done physically or is a job the person is mentally fit for (based on medical evidence).
  • The job requires a daily commute of no more than two hours (excluding the time to take children to daycare). The job can be reached by public or private transportation or is located within walking distance.
  • The working hours or nature of the job do not interfere with the normal observance of the person’s religion, convictions or beliefs.
  • The job is in the person’s major field of experience, unless he/she has been registered for work for more than 30 days.
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