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6. Any month of participation in which an individual is exempt from ABAWD provisions due to either a personal exemption or a waiver provision does not count toward the individual’s three-month participation limit. 7. Months in which an individual is disqualified for any reason are not counted as ABAWD months for that individual. 8. For individuals regaining an ABAWD exemption: A) For individuals regaining eligibility by working, participating in a work program, or combining hours worked and hours participating in a work program, the State agency will either prorate benefits from the day the 80 hours are completed or from the date of new application. 7 CFR 273.24(d)(2) B) For a person turning 65, the month of the 65th birthday counts as an exempt month. (Prior to 10/01/2025, the age was 55 and older) 9. In a SNAP E&T County, individuals are exempt from time limits by participating in a SNAP E&T qualifying activity or by meeting the work requirements (or any combination thereof). 10. When the ABAWD period has expired a timely notice of adverse action must be sent. EVALUATION OF ABAWD STATUS: 1. Evaluate each ABAWD applicant/participant for ABAWD exemptions. If an individual has a non-age-related Work Registration Exempt (SNAP 701-1 Work Registration Exemption) they are also ABAWD exempt. All exemptions must be verified and/or narrated per policies SNAP 701-1 Work Registration Exemption and SNAP 801-1 ABAWD Countable Months-Exemptions. ABAWD status must also be evaluated at Simplified Report and Recertification.

NOTE: If an eligibility staff member has reason to believe an applicant or new household member might have received SNAP benefits in another State, the other State must be contacted to confirm the closure date and number of ABAWD months used. The only exception to this requirement is if the individual has a hard copy verification from the other state confirming the closure date and ABAWD months used. 2. Montana will only count ABAWD months from another State if the months were counted or should have been counted based on the other State’s regulations.