(a) Boards shall ensure that SNAP E&T support services are provided to mandatory work registrants and exempt recipients who voluntarily participate in SNAP E&T services, if the support services are reasonable, necessary, and directly related to participation in SNAP E&T activities, as follows:
  (1) Mandatory Work Registrants. Boards shall ensure that:
    (A) support services are provided to assist mandatory work registrants with participation in SNAP E&T activities and in obtaining employment; and
    (B) if the monthly expenses directly related to participation by a mandatory work registrant exceed available funds, the mandatory work registrant is:
      (i) exempted from further participation in an assigned SNAP E&T activity; or
      (ii) reassigned to a SNAP E&T activity that will not require the provision of support services.
  (2) Exempt Recipients Who Voluntarily Participate in SNAP E&T Activities. Boards shall ensure that:
    (A) support services are provided to assist exempt recipients with participation in SNAP E&T activities and in obtaining employment; and
    (B) if the monthly expenses directly related to participation for an exempt recipient who voluntarily participates in SNAP E&T services exceed available funds, the exempt recipient is:
      (i) informed that assigned activities will be discontinued; or
      (ii) reassigned to a SNAP E&T activity that will not require the provision of support services.
(b) Support services include payment or reimbursement for:
  (1) child care services governed by Chapter 809 of this title;
  (2) transportation services that may be provided for participating mandatory work registrants and exempt recipients who voluntarily participate in SNAP E&T services, if alternative transportation resources are not available to the participants. Boards shall ensure that costs to provide the transportation services are:
    (A) reasonable and necessary for participation in SNAP E&T activities; and
    (B) paid for based on the methods and amounts determined by each Board to be consistent with state policy that requires use of the most economical means of transportation to meet the SNAP E&T participant's needs;
  (3) training or education-related items:
    (A) including, but not limited to, costs for uniforms, personal safety items, or other necessary equipment, and books or training manuals provided; and
    (B) excluding the cost of meals away from home;
  (4) work-related expenses that are:
    (A) reasonable, necessary, and directly related to accepting or retaining employment such as tools, uniforms, equipment, transportation, and car repairs; and
    (B) paid for based on methods and amounts established in Boards' local policies and procedures; and
  (5) housing expenses that are:
    (A) reasonable, necessary, and directly related to participation in SNAP E&T activities or retaining employment such as assistance with rent or utility payments; and
    (B) paid for based on methods and amounts established in Boards' local policies and procedures.

Source Note: The provisions of this §813.41 adopted to be effective September 3, 2001, 26 TexReg 6731; amended to be effective February 26, 2003, 28 TexReg 1657; amended to be effective March 29, 2005, 30 TexReg 1799; amended to be effective August 17, 2009, 34 TexReg 5589