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1 Ashburton Place ▪ Boston MA 02108 www.mass.gov/dta ▪ @DTA_Listens

MAURA T. HEALEY KIAME MAHANIAH, MD, MBA GOVERNOR SECRETARY

KIMBERLEY DRISCOLL

JEFF McCUE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

COMMISSIONER

Online Guide Transmittal 2025-31

July 25, 2025

To: Department of Transitional Assistance Staff

From: Sarah Stuart, Associate Commissioner for Local Implementation and Special Populations

Re: SNAP: Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD): Update Regarding the Implementation of the New Geographic Waiver

Overview

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) allows states the option to request a geographic waiver, also known as the ABAWD time limit waiver. If approved by FNS, individuals residing in areas of the state with unemployment rates of over 10 percent or lack a sufficient number of employment opportunities for residents, will not be subject to the ABAWD time limit.

DTA’s last geographic waiver expired June 30, 2025. DTA has not yet received a decision from FNS on this year’s waiver request, and as a result, the Department cannot continue applying the “Resident of a Waived Area” reason to non-exempt individuals subject to the ABAWD work rules.

DTA removed the “Resident of a Waived Area” reason overnight on Monday, June 30, 2025, to remain in compliance with the ABAWD work rules. Households who did not have another exemption known to BEACON are now subject to the ABAWD work rules and time limits have been sent the Consolidated Notice.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Department of Transitional Assistance