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11 Section 260 Change #02-2025 December 1, 2025 FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FNS 260 ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS (ABAWD)

of the VA disability rating is not relevant to the application of this exemption. Veterans who are not receiving VA disability compensation may still qualify for exemption under other categories in this section. e. Short-term or long-term disability benefits from private insurance. f. Verification of receipt of public or private disability benefit: Requesting additional verification is not required if information regarding the receipt of disability benefits is already known to the agency through data exchanges. If the information is not known to the county, proof of receipt of disability benefits may be requested. Assist the individual with obtaining required verifications if requested. 2. Obviously physically or mentally unfit for work An individual does not need to meet the FNS definition of “disabled” or to be receiving disability benefits to meet the physically or mentally unfit for work criteria for an ABAWD exemption.

When an individual's unfitness for work is obvious during the certification or recertification interview, the State agency does not need to require a statement or verification from medical personnel. The eligibility worker's determination that unfitness is obvious is sufficient to establish the exemption. a. Indicators of obvious unfitness for employment as determined by the State agency. The following conditions, when apparent to the eligibility worker or through information readily available in the case record, and depending on the totality of the circumstances, can indicate that an individual may be obviously unable to work at least 80 hours per month or 20 hours per week on average based on the worker's discretion. This list is not exhaustive. i. Mobility limitations: Individual uses mobility aids (wheelchair, walker, crutches); reports difficulty walking or standing for extended periods; or has amputations or paralysis. ii. Chronic pain or fatigue: Individual describes severe pain or fatigue secondary to a medical condition that would interfere with maintaining employment. iii. Sensory impairments: Individual is blind, deaf, or has significant vision or hearing impairment that interferes with