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Volume IIA

OMTL-639 SNAP Work Requirements

R.11/1/23

MS 2750 ABAWD BONUS MONTHS (1)

[ABAWD BONUS months are 3 additional months of eligibility granted to ABAWD individuals with 3 noncompliant months, who regained eligibility by working 80 hours in 30 days (paid or unpaid), and reported they are no longer fulfilling the ABAWD work requirement. The individual does not need to request these BONUS months as the months are issued immediately after the ABAWD individual first reports they are no longer meeting the ABAWD work requirement.]

A. BONUS months are ALWAYS consecutive and begin the date the change is re- ported to the Agency.

B. ABAWD requirements are not applied to the member during BONUS months. BONUS months are counted as compliant months. However, all other SNAP eligibility criteria apply.

C. Once BONUS months have expired, the member must again meet ABAWD requirements to maintain eligibility, unless otherwise exempt.

D. BONUS months are given only once in any 36-month period.

[Example: An ABAWD is approved for SNAP from 3/22 through 2/23. The ABAWD does not complete any work activity and accumulates 3 noncompliant months. Benefits are terminated effective 6/22. The individual worked 80 hours in 7/22, reapplied and was approved for benefits ongoing. On 9/10/22, he reports he was laid off. He is eligible for 3 consecutive BONUS months (10/22, 11/22, and 12/22- 9/22 is a prorated month thus a bonus month does not apply) of SNAP with or without meeting ABAWD requirements. Effective 1/1/23 the member must again meet ABAWD requirements or be ineligible for SNAP.

E. If an individual is due to receive bonus months at the same time a disqualification of any type is being imposed, the individual will lose any months that a disqualification applies based on the disqualification periods.

Example: Individual is disqualified for 2 months, they could receive benefits for their third month. If the disqualification is for 4 months, they would be ineligible to receive any of the three additional months. An individual cannot receive the three consecutive additional months of benefits more than once in a 36-month period. After the disqualification is served, the individual could reapply for SNAP and if otherwise eligible and following the work program rules could receive benefits.

F. Supervisors, Case Managers, and other designated staff enter BONUS months into worker portal.]