As a (mandatory) work registrant you have certain work related rights and responsibilities. Compliance with the work requirements is mandatory and cannot be waived. Failure to comply with a work requirement may result in either you or your entire household being disqualified from the Food Stamp Program for one, three, and six months or until compliance, whichever is longer.

You have the right to:

A Fair Hearing - Each individual or household has a right to a fair hearing to appeal a denial, reduction, or termination of benefits due to a determination of nonexempt status or a determination of failure to comply with the work registration or employment and training requirements. If you or your household believes that a finding of failure to comply has resulted from improper decisions on these matters, you may appeal the actions.

Timely and Adequate Notice - Prior to any action to reduce or terminate your household's benefits due to failure to comply with a work requirement, the agency shall provide you or your household timely and adequate notice before the adverse action is taken. Such notification must specify the particular act of noncompliance committed; the proposed period of disqualification; information describing action which can be taken to avoid or end the disqualification; and inform the individual or household that they may reapply at the end of the disqualification period.

By law, food stamp recipients subject to work requirements as a condition of eligibility must:
 

• Register for employment at the time of application for food stamps once every twelve months
• Report for an interview upon reasonable request
• Participate in an employment and training program component if assigned
• Respond to a request for supplemental information regarding employment status or availability for work
• Accept a bona fide offer of suitable employment at a wage not less than the higher of either the state or federal minimum wage
• Not voluntarily quit a job
• Not voluntarily reduce work hours to less than 30 hours per week
• Comply with Georgia Temporary Support Grant requirements

By law, mandatory work registrants who are able bodied adults between the ages of 18-50 and have no dependent children under age 18 may only receive food stamps for 3 months out of 36 months unless they work at least 20 hours per week and take part in specific training programs at least 20 hours per week.

This rule does not apply to individuals who are exempt from Employment and Training requirements.

Anyone denied food stamp benefits because they fail to meet this work requirement has a one time chance to regain eligibility by working or participating and complying with work program for 80 hours during a 30 day period.

Able bodied adults without dependents who are certified for benefits following the onetime chance, must be working in specific training to gain eligibility.

If you have any questions, contact your worker who will provide you with more information.

Form 826 (Rev. 1-97)