What are the Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)?

Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) include:

Age Expansion: Work requirements now apply to adults aged 18–64 (previously applied to people aged 18 - 54)

Parental Exemption: Parents caring for a child under age 14 are exempt from work requirements (previously under age 18)

Work Exemptions Removed: Veterans People experiencing homelessness Former foster youth, aged 24 or younger

New Work Exemptions Added: Alaska Native or American Indian people and Tribal Members as defined under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act

Waiver Criteria Tightened: States can only request waivers in areas where the unemployment rate is 10% or higher Alaska may also qualify if our unemployment rate is at least 150% of the national average

Effective November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved Alaska’s Good Faith Exemption waiver.

This waiver exempts all Alaska census areas and boroughs from the ABAWD time-limit criteria, except the Municipality of Anchorage.

This waiver also allows Alaska to keep certain groups exempt from ABAWD time limits, including: Individuals aged 56–64 Households with dependent children aged 14–17 Veterans People experiencing homelessness Youth aged 18–24 transitioning from foster care