Wash. Admin. Code § 388-444-0015 – How can the basic food employment and training (BFET) program help me find work?

The basic food employment and training (BFET) program is the name for Washington's voluntary supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) employment and training program.

(1) If you receive federally funded basic food benefits, SNAP, and are at least 16 years of age or older (see additional requirements to serve 16 to 17 year olds in this section) and are able to work at least 20 hours per week (see additional requirements in this section), you may choose to receive services through the BFET program in one or more of the following activities, if we currently provide the service in the county where you live:
1. (a) Job search and training, which may include:
  1. (i) Labor market information;
  2. (ii) Job seeking skills instruction;
  3. (iii) Resume writing;
  4. (iv) Job skills assessment;
  5. (v) Coaching;
  6. (vi) Work ethic training; or
  7. (vii) Job placement services.
2. (b) Supervised job search, which may include:
  1. (i) Use of computer, email, fax, telephone;
  2. (ii) Search of job listings; and
  3. (iii) Securing identification, professional license, or certifications.
3. (c) Basic education, which may include:
  1. (i) Education in basic computer skills;
  2. (ii) Literacy or math training;
  3. (iii) High school equivalency (formerly GED); or
  4. (iv) Basic education for adults (BEA).
4. (d) English as a second language (ESL).
5. (e) Life skills training, which may include:
  1. (i) Work preparation;
  2. (ii) Health and well-being;
  3. (iii) Effective communication;
  4. (iv) Personal strength builders; or
  5. (v) Community engagement.
6. (f) Vocational education, which may be:
  1. (i) Credentialed;
  2. (ii) Recognized by an independent third party; or
  3. (iii) Accepted by local industry employers.
7. (g) Job retention services, which may include:
  1. (i) Counseling;
  2. (ii) Coaching;
  3. (iii) Case management; and
  4. (iv) Participant reimbursements.
8. (h) Paid or unpaid work based learning.
9. (i) Self-employment training, which may include:
  1. (i) Technical assistance;
  2. (ii) Creating financial marketing plans;
  3. (iii) Accessing small business grants; and
  4. (iv) Finding other business support services.
10. (j) Integrated education and training, which may include:
  1. (i) Vocational education and English language acquisition; or
  2. (ii) Vocational education and basic education; or
  3. (iii) Vocational education, language acquisition, and basic education.
(2) If you are eligible to participate in BFET activities, you must be able to participate or work at least 20 hours per week, up to 40 hours per week.
(3) Youth ages 16 to 17 may participate in BFET programs, whether they receive basic food benefits independently or through their parents basic food case.
1. (a) The participation exception for youth are secondary education, or high school equivalency classes.
2. (b) Youth may participate in vocational education programs if they have received or in the process of receiving their high school equivalency.
3. (c) Youth 16 years and older do not require parental consent to participate in BFET.
4. (d) Persons with a verified disability (which may include those receiving services from the division of vocational rehabilitation) may be eligible for BFET services.
(4) If you are an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD), you may be eligible for BFET services.
(5) If you receive employment and training services within multiple department of social and health services administrations, you cannot receive duplication of services, nor duplication of support services.
(6) If you receive benefits under the state-funded food assistance program (FAP), you are not eligible to participate in BFET.
(7) If you receive temporary assistance to needy families (TANF), you are not eligible to participate in BFET.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.515, 74.04.535, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 74.08A.903. WSR 26-03-088, s 388-444-0015, filed 1/20/26, effective 2/20/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.515, 74.04.535, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 74.08A.903; 7 U.S.C. 2015 (d)(1) and 7 C.F.R. § 273.7. WSR 21-19-040, § 388-444-0015, filed 9/10/21, effective 10/11/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.250, and 2013 c 39. WSR 13-24-043, § 388-444-0015, filed 11/26/13, effective 1/1/14. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.08A.903, and 7 U.S.C. 2015 (d)(1); 7 C.F.R. § 273.7. WSR 10-18-048, § 388-444-0015, filed 8/26/10, effective 10/1/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 7 C.F.R. 273.7 and 273.25. WSR 06-24-026, § 388-444-0015, filed 11/29/06, effective 1/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and 74.04.510. WSR 00-04-006, § 388-444-0015, filed 1/20/00, effective 3/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-444-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]