1105.035.00 Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Requirements – DSS Manuals

IM-71 August 31, 2023 ; IM-48 May 10, 2023 ; IM-38 March 14, 2019 ; IM-53 May 22, 2017 ; IM-94 October 19, 2015 ; IM-32 June 16, 2014 ; IM-106 December 7, 2006 ; IM-103 November 6, 2006 ; IM-101 November 2, 2006 ; IM-100 October 20, 2006 ; IM-133 December 21, 2004 ; IM-194 October 24, 2001 ; IM-32 April 1, 1999

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) limits the receipt of SNAP benefits to any three months in a 36 month period for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who are:

not working (80 hours or more per calendar month), and/or

participating in and complying with the requirements of a qualified training program for 80 hours or more per calendar month

To receive SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a 36 month period, all ABAWDs must comply with a training/work requirement. Any month the ABAWD is not complying with a training/work requirement and receives a full month SNAP benefits is considered a non-work month and counts toward the 3 month limit.

Exception: After receiving SNAP benefits for 3 non-work months, ABAWDS can regain eligibility in certain circumstances. (See section 1105.035.40 Regaining SNAP Eligibility )

When a household member turns 18 years old during the certification period, the participant becomes subject to the training/work requirement the month following their birthday. Household members are exempt the month they turn 51 years old.

Per the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, ABAWD age limits will change as described below:

As of 10/01/2023, 18-52 years old are the ABAWD age limits,

As of 10/01/2024, 18-54 years old are the ABAWD age limits.

The 36 month period is a “fixed clock”.

Example: A new “fixed clock” began July 1, 2023, and will end June 30, 2026. If the ABAWD has non-work months from another state, these are counted in the total number of non-work months if they occurred any time during the “fixed clock” period. Staff must review benefits beginning July 1, 2023.