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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL ABAWDS Section 106 Page 1

106.1 Purpose Individuals who are identified as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) may not participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if they have received SNAP benefits for more than three (3) countable months during a set 3 year (36 month) period except under certain circumstances detailed in this policy. 106.2 General Requirements ABAWD requirements apply statewide unless a particular area is awarded a waiver by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The current 36 month period began July 1, 2023 and continues through June 30, 2026. A new 36 month period will begin on July 1, 2026. During these 3 year spans, an individual who is an ABAWD is only eligible for 3 months of SNAP benefits without being in compliance with or exempt from work requirements. Once their 3 months are used, the ABAWD is not eligible for SNAP benefits (including Expedited SNAP) until they either are in compliance with work requirements (detailed below in section 106.6) or meet an ABAWD exception. See section 106.10 for more information about regaining SNAP eligibility. A. Countable months are months where an individual receives SNAP benefits for the full month while not: a. Exempt from work activity due to one (1) of the exemptions/exceptions listed in section 106.4, b. Covered by a waiver awarded by FNS, c. Fulfilling the work requirements detailed in section 106.6, d. Receiving prorated benefits for a part of a month, or e. In the month of notification from a SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) provider determining non-compliance or unsuitability of the individual. B. Countable months do not have to be consecutive. 106.3 Screening Screening is critical to the successful implementation of ABAWD policy and is required at each SNAP application and redetermination or when adding an individual to an active SNAP case. Identifying customers who are not subject to ABAWD requirements can help local departments reduce the number of customers who must be tracked and monitored for compliance with work REVISED SEPTEMBER 2025