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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 3000 3512 Countable Months

3500 The SNAP Requirement to Work (RTW) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2025 P M1 M2 M3 I I I I I I I I 2026 I I I I I I EX EX EX EX I I 2027 I I I I I I I I I I I I W = Working at least 20 hours; ET = Participating in qualifying work activity; B1, B2, B3 = Bonus months; M1, M2, M3 = Countable month; N = Not participating in SNAP; I = Ineligible for SNAP because ABAWD does not meet work requirements and has used countable months. P=Partial month of benefits. EX = Exemptions. For individuals who have been living in another state, the RTW compliance period will be the same as if they were residing in the State of Arkansas. Verification of their participation in SNAP in the state in which they resided is required prior to the individual’s certification to receive SNAP benefits in Arkansas. EXAMPLE 1: Sally lived in Hawaii until June 13, 2025, then she moved to Arkansas and applied for SNAP. She received SNAP benefits in Hawaii for the months of January, February and March 2025 and was subject to the RTW in Hawaii and met no exemptions. Since Sally has already received three (3) months of benefits from another state while not meeting an exemption, she is not eligible for SNAP in Arkansas until she meets an RTW exemption, complies with RTW, or a new three (3)- year compliance period begins. EXAMPLE 2: Bob lived in Arkansas January through June 2025 and received SNAP benefits. He was subject to the RTW and had a three (3)-year compliance period established beginning January 1, 2025. He received three (3) countable months for January through March 2025. Bob moved out of the state and returned in July 2026. He applied for SNAP benefits and does not meet the RTW or any exemption. Since Bob has already received three (3) months in the three (3)-year compliance period, he will not be eligible until he does meet an RTW exemption, complies with RTW, or a new three (3)-year compliance period begins. For individuals added to existing SNAP cases, the eligibility worker will verify any previously countable months within the current three (3)-year compliance period before the individual may be added to the existing SNAP case. If an individual moves from one household to another, any countable months within the current compliance period will move with the individual. The chart below describes when to begin considering the three (3) countable months when an exemption changes or when an individual is added to an existing SNAP case.