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ABAWD SPAN: Montana’s new fixed 36-month period runs from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026.

REGAINING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA- FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR THREE MONTHS IN A 36-MONTH PERIOD: An ABAWD may regain eligibility by working and/or participating in approved training for a total of 80 hours within a 30 consecutive-day period. The 30-day period may: • Begin as early as 30 days prior to the date of application, or • End as late as 30 days after the date of application. All 80 hours must be within 30 consecutive days. If an applicant applies having met the 80 hours within the 30 consecutive days prior to date of application, and meets all other eligibility factors, the client is eligible effective the date of application. 1. If an applicant applies before meeting the full 80 hours, they are ineligible. a. Deny the application. b. When the client verifies that the full 80 hours were met, within a 30 consecutive- day period ending no later than 30 days after date of application, the application can be reverted to open with benefits beginning the date the individual re-qualifies. c. If a client does not provide verification by the 30th day after the application, they will need to provide a new application. An ABAWD may continue to receive SNAP if they continue to meet the work or training requirement (see SNAP 801-1 ABAWD Countable Months-Exemptions).There is no limit to how many times an individual may regain eligibility.

ELIGIBILITY FOR A SECOND “EXTENDED” 3-MONTH PERIOD FOR ABAWDS Sometimes we see the following scenario: 1. Client exhausts initial three months. 2. Client then regains eligibility.