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Division/Section Family Support Chapter No./Name 4 – Economic Stability (ES) Part No./Name B – Eligibility Factors Section No./Name B-1400-FITAP-SNAP-STEP SNAP Work Requirements Document No./Name B-1470-SNAP Time-Limited Benefits for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) Effective Date February 1, 2026
1 of 22 I. STATEMENT OF POLICY
A SNAP recipient classified as an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) can receive benefits for only three months in a 36-month period unless they meet the ABAWD work requirement or qualify for an exemption. This is the SNAP time limit.
An ABAWD is an individual who is:
• Age 18 (beginning the month after their eighteen birthday) through 64, (ending the month prior to their 65th birthday).
• Physically or mentally fit for employment,
• Not pregnant,
• Not living in a SNAP household with a child who is under age 14, even if the child is not eligible to receive SNAP benefits, and
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In LITE, if there is an ABAWD included on the case, they will be listed on the ABAWD Summary screen. The ABAWD indicator can also be seen on the Person Summary pop up screen if you search for an individual.
Exception for Unfit for Employment
An individual who is physically or mentally unfit for employment is exempt from the SNAP time limit. Unfitness for work can include anything that affects the ability to work or maintain employment. An individual does not need to be disabled to be unfit for work. Unfitness for work may be temporary or permanent. Unfit for work means the individual may be able to work some hours but is not able to work at least 20 hours per week because of their own physical or mental condition.
An individual who is temporarily unfit for work is exempt until their next redetermination.
An individual is unfit for work if the individual:
• is receiving temporary or permanent disability benefits issued by governmental or private sources. This includes persons receiving Social Security Disability (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to disability, and any percentage of disability through the Veterans Administration (VA). A pending application for one of these programs qualifies an individual for this exemption.