18 Miss. Code. R. 14-12.12 - Good Cause

A. MDHS is responsible for determining good cause when a SNAP recipient fails or refuses to comply with a SNAP work requirement.

B. MDHS must consider the individual member's facts and circumstances as well as information from the employer when making a good cause determination.

C. Good cause includes circumstances beyond the individual's control such as, but not limited to,:

1. Illness;

2. Illness of another household member requiring the member's presence;

3. A household emergency;

4. Transportation is unavailable; or

5. The lack of adequate childcare for children age six, but under age 12.

D. Good cause for leaving employment includes:

1. Resigning from unsuitable employment as described in Rule 12.11 Suitable Employment;

2. Employer discrimination based on age, race, sex, color, handicap, religious beliefs, national origin or political beliefs;

3. Working without getting paid on schedule;

4. Acceptance of employment or enrollment by the individual in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education on at least a half time basis that requires the individual to leave employment;

5. Resignation by individuals under the age of 60 recognized by the employer as retirement;

6. Enrollment by the individual of at least half-time in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education in another county that requires the household to move and therefore requires the individual to leave employment;

7. Leaving one job to take another job involving at least 30 hours a week or weekly earnings equivalent to 30 hours a week at federal minimum wage; or

8. Leaving a job based on patterns of work, meaning workers frequently move from one employer to another, such as migrant farm labor or construction work.

E. If there is not an appropriate and available opening in an E&T program, MDHS must determine that the participant has good cause for failure to comply with the mandatory E&T requirement.

F. Good cause for circumstances where there is not an appropriate or available opening within the E&T program only applies to the requirement to participate in E&T and does not provide good cause to ABAWDs who fail to fulfill the ABAWD work requirement.

G. MDHS must request verification of household statements regarding good cause that are questionable. The household is primarily responsible for providing such verification.

Notes

18 Miss. Code. R. 14-12.12

7 CFR §273.7(c)(2); 7 CFR §273.7(i)

Adopted 3/15/2022 Amended 10/20/2023 Amended 12/9/2024 Amended 2/17/2025