Federal Benefits Chart
FSET Overview
The Food Stamp Employment and Training program (FSET) offers training, education, job search assistance, and work experience opportunities to food stamp recipients.
Key Decision Points
See key decision points under Food Stamps, as benefit eligibility is linked.
Federal Funding Agency
Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Relevant State/Local Agency, Office, and Contacts
Use the space below to write notes about which state/local agency or office oversees this benefit in your area and any related contacts. You can print this page for your records or log in to save your response for future reference.
Features
FSET provides training, education, job search assistance, and work experience opportunities for food stamp recipients. Able-bodied adults without dependents who receive food stamps are required to either work or participate in FSET or another employment and training program for at least 20 hours per week. However, participation in employment and training programs is limited to 120 hours per month, both for those who are required to participate and those who voluntarily participate.
Eligibility
- Income
FSET eligibility is tied to food stamp eligibility. Able-bodied adults without dependents who receive food stamps are required to be employed or to participate in FSET or another employment and training program for at least 20 hours per week. Individuals who do not meet this requirement risk losing their food stamps after three months. However, under certain conditions, this requirement can be waived.
Potential Limitations
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (the 1996 "welfare law") created a lifetime ban on food stamp benefits for anyone convicted of a drug felony after August 22, 1996. However, states have flexibility to opt out of or modify this federal provision to enable individuals with felony drug convictions who meet other eligibility criteria to access some or all food stamp benefits. For more information, see the Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council, Policy Statement 24.
Examples
Project RIO (Tex.): case managers refer job seekers to the Health and Human Services Commission for food stamp eligibility determination and monitor the FSET outreach pool to assure subsequent co-enrollment into FSET once the Project RIO job seeker is made available in the outreach pool.
The Justice Center does not endorse or promote any particular program.