Section 121.23  Work Registration/Participation Requirements

a)         All nonexempt adults who are eligible members of a food stamp household shall register for employment, participate in an employment and training program and accept suitable employment.  Compliance with this requirement is a prerequisite to certification and program benefits shall not be granted conditionally prior to registration by nonexempt household members.  However, under expedited services, the applicant must register but registration of other members may be postponed.

b)         All nonexempt individuals must register in the following circumstances:

1)         prior to initial certification;

2)         for a new household member, prior to addition to the case;

3)         once every 12 months; and

4)         when as a result of a change which the household is required to report, a member loses exempt status.  (See 89 Ill. Adm. Code 102.50(c).)

c)         Registration with the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (FSE&T) for General Assistance (GA) purposes shall meet the food stamp work registration requirement for nonexempt City of Chicago GA/Food Stamp applicants and recipients.

d)         Participation in TANF work and training activities shall meet the food stamp work registration requirement.

e)         Registration with a Refugee Placement Agency or Illinois Job Service for Refugee Assistance/Food Stamp recipients shall meet the food stamp work registration requirements.

f)          Each household member who is required to register for employment is also required to:

1)         participate in an employment and training program, if assigned by FSE&T, in accordance with Section 121.162 or participate in a TANF work and training program in accordance with 89 Ill. Adm. Code 112.72;

2)         respond to requests for supplemental information regarding employment status or availability for work;

3)         report to employers to whom referred;

4)         accept a bona fide offer of suitable employment (see Section 121.28(b) for a definition of "suitable employment"); and

5)         cooperate with the work requirements of  FSE&T.  (See 89 Ill. Adm. Code 121.160 through 121.190.)

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 2813, effective February 7, 2008)