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PLEDGE TO SERVE ALL ABAWDS The Act authorizes FNS to allocate $20 million annually to State agencies that commit, or pledge, to ensuring the availability of education, training, or workfare opportunities that permit able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) to remain eligible beyond the 3-month time limit. To be eligible for these additional funds (pledge funds), State agencies must pledge to offer and provide an opportunity in a work program that meets the participation requirements of 7 CFR 273.24 to every applicant and recipient who is in the last month of the 3-month time limit and not otherwise exempt. Individuals are exempt from the time limit if they meet an exception under 7 CFR 273.24(c), reside in an area covered by a waiver in accordance with 7 CFR 273.24(f), or who are exempted by the State under 7 CFR 273.24(g). Is the State agency pledging to offer qualifying activities to all ABAWDs subject to the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i)? Yes No Pledge Assurances Check the boxes to indicate that the State agency understands and agrees to comply with the following provisions, per 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3). The State agency will use the pledge funds to defray the costs of offering every ABAWD who meets the criteria in 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i) a slot in a qualifying component. The cost of serving ABAWDs is not an acceptable reason for failing to live up to the pledge. The State agency will make a slot available and the ABAWD must be served even if the State agency exhausts all of its 100 percent Federal funds and must use State funds. While a participating State agency may use a portion of the additional funding to provide E&T services to ABAWDs who do not meet the criteria under 7 CFR 273.7(d)(3)(i), the State agency guarantees that ABAWDs who do meet the criteria are provided with opportunities by the State agency each month to remain eligible beyond the 3-month time limit. The State agency will notify FNS immediately if it realizes that it cannot obligate or expend its entire share of the ABAWD allocated funds, so that FNS may make those funds available to other participating pledge States within the fiscal year. The State agency will be ready on October 1st to offer and provide qualifying activities and services each month an ABAWD is subject to losing their benefits beyond the 3-month time limit. 1/29/26, 8:18 AM State Plan MN FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-mnfy26stateplan//index.html 249/253