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3540.2 Three Consecutive Bonus Months SNAP Manual 07/01/2026 Individuals who have already received three (3) countable months during the current thirty-six (36) month RTW compliance period may be eligible for three (3) bonus months if he or she worked eighty (80) hours or more during any thirty (30) consecutive day period. The individual must meet the following criteria to receive bonus months: • The ABAWD must have gained eligibility but is no longer fulfilling the work requirement. • If the individual was working, the consecutive three (3) bonus months must start when the participant notifies the State agency that he or she is no longer meeting the Requirement to Work. • If the individual was participating in a work program, the consecutive three (3) bonus months must start when the State determines the ABAWD is no longer in compliance. • The ABAWD must not have received an additional three (3) consecutive bonus months more than once in the same three (3)-year period. The three (3) additional bonus months must be used consecutively. EXAMPLE: Bill applied for SNAP on October 10, 2025, and is determined to meet requirements for expedited benefits. October is not a countable month since he only received a partial benefit amount. On November 3, 2025 Bill is recertified; however, he reports he is now working twenty (20) hours/week making minimum wage/hour. Since he meets RTW then he will be eligible to participate in SNAP. In February 2026, Bill’s case closed because he failed to complete his renewal. He reapplies for SNAP on July 2, 2026, and reports that he is no longer working and meets no other exemption. Bill receives a partial month of benefits in July and full benefits for August-September-October. He has received his three (3) countable months as of October 2026. However, he’s eligible for three (3) consecutive bonus months of November, December and January because he had eighty (80) hours of work for thirty (30) consecutive days within the compliance period. His case will close effective February 2027, and he will be ineligible until January 2028 unless he complies with the RTW or meets an exemption.

The following chart provides an explanation of Bill’s RTW Status: