The Food Stamp
Reimbursement (FSR)
Process: It’s Changing
1
Agency for Workforce Innovation
September 2007
Objectives
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Obtain a clear understanding of how the
Food Stamp Reimbursements (FSRs) will
be paid.
Obtain a clear understanding of the
change in the FSR amount and procedures.
What changes will occur?
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Two changes:
Change #1 - How the FSRs will be paid
Change #2 - Amounts for which
participants will qualify
Change in How Paid
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Placed on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
Card in cash account
Effective September 20, 2007
In account of primary cardholder in household
seven calendar days after requested
Available for 12 months
Unused benefits are expunged after 12 months
Change in Amount
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For FSET Participants
–
–
Now $25 regardless of the activity
Effective October 1, 2007
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$25 for Orientation
$12, $25 or Other for Work Experience/SelfInitiated Work Experience (WE/SIWE)
$20, $40 or Other for Education and Training
Change in Amount
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For OWP Participants
–
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Now $25 for Orientation, Work Experience
(WE) and Self-Initiated Work Experience
(SIWE)
Effective October 1, 2007
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$25 for Orientation
$12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE
Authority
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7 CFR 273.7 (d)(3)
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Participant reimbursements. The
State agency must provide
payments to participants in its E&T
(Employment and Training)
program, including applicants and
volunteers, for expenses that are
reasonably necessary and directly
related to participation in the E&T
program.
Authority: 7 CFR 273.7
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The State agency must
inform each E&T participant
that allowable expenses will
be reimbursed by the State
agency upon presentation of
appropriate documentation.
Documentation of Need
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System generated Case Note - Each time a
request is entered
Authority – 2005 USDA Food Stamp
Program Review Tool: “Did case file
document show need for and payment of
reimbursement?”
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FSR Qualifying Activities
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All activities, with the exception of
employment, qualify for the monthly
reimbursement (FSR) for any month
activities are open with documentation of
the required number of hours.
FSR Qualification Details
FSET County (i.e., Non-workfare)
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FSRs can be requested in FSET counties (i.e., nonworkfare) if any of the following is true:
Participant successfully completed Orientation (500) in that
month, or
Any one of the following activities is open in that month for at
least one day:
–
Work Experience (WE) (509)
–
Self-Initiated Work Experience (SIWE) (517)
–
FSET Assessment (575)
FSR Qualification Details
FSET County (i.e., Non-workfare)
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–
Upfront Job Search/WE-SIWE (576)
–
WE combined with JS/JST (577)
–
SIWE combined with JS/JST (578)
–
Workforce Investment Act Training
(579)
FSR Qualification Details
FSET County (i.e., Non-workfare)
–
Trade Adjustment Assistance Training (580)
–
Education/training (581)
–
Education/training combined with JS/JST
(582)
NOTE: Only one FSR can be earned in a month
even if more than one qualifying activity/training
is open in that month.
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$25 for Orientation
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FSR must be requested for participants
who attend
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Includes
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Those who attend Assessment in lieu of Orientation
Those who attend Orientation to have a sanction
lifted
$12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE
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Participant completes 1-50 percent of the
assigned hours - reimbursed $12 for that
month
Participant completes more than 50
percent of the assigned hours reimbursed $25 for that month
$12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE
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Other – Can receive up to the maximum
amount ($25) if they provide actual
documentation (receipts, etc.) showing
that it cost them more than $12 to
participate in the activity
NOTE: Participants must be notified in
writing of the opportunity to claim actual
expenses up to the maximum.
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$20, 40 or Other for Education and
Training
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Participant completes 1-50 percent of the
assigned hours - reimbursed $20 for that
month
Participant completes more than 50
percent of the assigned hours reimbursed $40 for that month
$20, 40 or Other for Education and
Training
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Other – Can receive up to the maximum
amount ($40) if they provide actual
documentation (receipts, etc.) showing
that it cost them more than $20 to
participate in the activity
NOTE: Participants must be notified in
writing of the opportunity to claim actual
expenses up to the maximum.
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FSR Qualification Details
(Workfare County)
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FSRs can be requested in a Workfare
county for a month if any of the
following is true:
Participant successfully completed
Orientation (500) in that month.
FSR Qualification Details
(Workfare County)
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Educational trainings (579, 580, 581, and 582) are open
during the month if Work Experience (509) or SelfInitiated Work Experience (517) is open for at least one
day.
NOTE: Educational trainings (579, 580, 581, 582) do not
qualify for an FSR in a Workfare county if Work Experience
or Self-Initiated Work Experience is not also open during
the month.
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FSR Qualification Details
(Workfare County)
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Any one of the following activities is open
during the month for at least one day:
–
Work Experience (WE) (509)
–
Self-Initiated Work Experience (SIWE)
(517)
–
Upfront Job Search/WE-SIWE (576)
FSR Qualification Details
(Workfare County)
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WE combined with JS/JST (577)
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SIWE combined with JS/JST (578)
NOTE: Only one FSR can be earned in a
month even if more than one qualifying
activity/training is open in that month.
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$25 for Orientation

FSR must be requested for participants
who attend
–
Includes

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Those who attend Assessment in lieu of Orientation
Those who attend Orientation to have a sanction
lifted
$12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE
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Participant completes 1-50 percent of the
assigned hours - reimbursed $12 for that
month.
Participants completes more than 50
percent of the assigned hours reimbursed $25 for that month.
$12, $25 or Other for WE/SIWE

Other – Can receive up to the maximum
amount ($25) if they provide actual
documentation (receipts, etc.) showing
that it cost them more than $12 to
participate in the activity.
NOTE: Participants must be notified in
writing of the opportunity to claim actual
expenses up to the maximum.
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Requesting the FSR
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The FSR request is made on the OSST
“FSR Requests” screen:
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The type is pre-populated, but Career
Managers should enter the amount and earned
date.
Canceling the FSR Request
(Prior to the Date Processed)
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Click the hyperlinked “T” under Type in the Food Stamp
Reimbursement Request Summary.
Enter the date of cancellation. All other information is prepopulated.
Canceled FSR Request
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All details about the FSR can be seen on the screen.
.
Canceling the FSR Request
(After the Date Processed)
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Can no longer be done
Ensure request is canceled before
processed if not earned
Timeframes for Issuance
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Requests will be processed the sixth
calendar day after entered
Career Manager must request the FSR by
close of business on the request date
Multiple FSR Requests
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Make sure warranted before requested
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No way to cancel after processed
Understanding the FSR Request
Summary
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Understanding the FSR Request
Summary
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Type – T = Transportation
Earned Dt. = Month and Year the FSR was earned (Month
and year for which documentation of hours completed is
presented)
Amount = $25.00
NOTE: FSRs that have been processed will have the
hyperlink under the T. However, upon clicking on the link,
the details of the FSR will be displayed in a “read only”
mode.
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Understanding the FSR Request
Summary
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Request Dt. = Date the Career Manager entered the FSR request in
the OSST system
Processed Dt. = Date will be equivalent to the sixth calendar day
after the request is entered
Warrant Dt. = Date will be equivalent to the date the FSR will be in
the EBT account
Warrant No. – Will be used for tracking purposes as needed
Cancel Dt. = Date the Career Manager canceled the request in the
OSST system
Problems? Troubleshooting
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Participant stated FSR was
not on card
Suspicion of fraud
FSR was not on card
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Career Manager
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Ensure request was entered in system
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Ensure not awaiting additional information
Suspicion of Fraud
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Problem: You suspect fraudulent activity.
Solution: Ensure frequent contact with work
site supervisors to ensure that individuals
are participating and to assist with any
problems before they arise.
If fraud is determined in relation to
documentation of work activity hours,
Career Managers should follow the
procedures in the next two slides.
Suspicion of Fraud
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Use the form at the following link to report the
information to the AWI:
http://www.floridajobs.org/forms/inspec_gen/Incid
entReport.dot
Complete the form as described in the Incident
Report Procedures:
http://www.floridajobs.org/forms/inspec_gen/IncR
ptngSys031307.pdf.
Send electronic copies of the forms to:
James.Mathews@awi.state.fl.us.
Suspicion of Fraud
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Written copies of the forms should be sent to:
Office of Inspector General
Agency for Workforce Innovation
C/0 James F. Mathews
MSC #130, Caldwell Building
107 East Madison Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-4126
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Send a copy of all correspondence to
Delores.Coachman@awi.state.fl.us.
Benefits Expire
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After 12 months, the
benefits are no longer
available.
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Periodically remind
participants
THE END
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Please direct questions to Delores Coachman at (850) 2457411 or Delores.Coachman@awi.state.fl.us.
An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice
telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.