SNAP Employment and Training Program

The SNAP Employment & Training Program's (SNAP E&T) goal is to help you improve your work skills and assist you in finding a job through short-term training and work assignments as well as GED, resume-writing and interviewing classes.

Supportive Service Payments
You may qualify for supportive service payments when you take part in SNAP E&T program activities. SNAP E&T program activities will work to enhance your job skills and help you search for employment. Supportive service payments will help you with work related expenses such as transportation or special clothing expenses.

Getting Started
In order to match you with the right services, each applicant will meet with program staff and be assigned to a SNAP E&T program activity. The activities you are expected to do will be explained by program staff. To receive the full SNAP benefits and supportive service payments that you are entitled to, make sure that you do not miss any meetings and that you complete all assigned activities.

Sanction for Not Complying
If you miss a meeting or fail to complete an assigned activity, a meeting will be scheduled with you to find out why. If meetings and activities are missed or you do not comply with an activity assignment, your SNAP benefits may be reduced or stopped. Reasons for not complying, such as illness or unexpected emergencies, may be excused and will prompt a rescheduling of the activities that have not been completed. Contact program staff as soon as you know that you will be unable to fulfill a meeting or assigned activity.

For more information:
Call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services' Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).  If you do not know where your FCRC is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at:
1-800-843-6154
1-800-447-6404 (TTY)
You may speak to a representative between: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (except state holidays)

 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Work First

Work First is designed to help TANF clients who live in Cook County and who have multiple barriers, gain the training and skills they need to become employed and to retain employment.

Who can receive these services?

Adults in Cook County who receive TANF, who have been unsucc essful in other employment and training programs, and who have multiple barriers that prevent them from gaining and/or retaining employment.

What services are offered?

As a Work First service provider, CEDA provide assessments, case management and follow up, treatment and treatment linkages, and an intensive array of services designed to address the individual's self-sufficiency barriers. In Work First, participants are assigned to specific work or training activities to earn their TANF assistance check, while they gain valuable employment skills. In addition, clients are assisted with supportive services, such as child care, transportation, and clothing expenses. Activities may include:

• assignment to a Work First worksite (where the participant works for an employer to gain employment skills while earning their TANF assistance);
• community service;
• education (GED/high school equivalency diploma, Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language);
• job skills training (for example computer courses);
• treatment, which included employment activities along with group therapy and counseling.
• job readiness (includes making child care plans, assessing transportation options, changing relationships and lifestyles, punctuality and attendance, job-seeking skills, financial budgeting, and career development);
• job retention services (job coaching and counseling, conflict-resolution, financial budgeting).

How are the services provided?

TANF clients are assigned to specific work or employment and training activities for a specified number of hours in order to earn their assistance checks. CEDA will be responsible for assisting in placing clients in unsubsidized employment. Participants are referred to Work First by the DHS Family Community Resource Center.

For more information:

Call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services' Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).  If you do not know where your FCRC is or if you are unable to go there, you may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at:
1-800-843-6154
1-800-447-6404 (TTY)
You may speak to a representative between: 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (except state holidays)