Page 15

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

individual unfit to work 20 hours per week or more (c) The statement may, but need to, specify diagnosis, describe specific limitations, and state duration of unfitness. d. Timeline for verification for Medical Statement. If unfitness for employment was not obvious to the eligibility worker, and the eligibility worker could not verify another exemption status using information available through NCFAST or other sources, existing standards for timely verification apply and the eligibility worker must give the household at least 10 days to return a medical statement from a provider. A specific form is not required for the medical statement. The DSS-8209 Medical Report may be used to obtain a medical statement and a copy of this form should be given to the individual. G. ABAWD Exemption: An Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian as described in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. 1. Effective November 1, 2025, American Indians who meet the definition of "Indian," "Urban Indian," or "California Indian" under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), are exempt from ABAWD work requirements. USDA guidance, as of October 3, 2025, defines Indian, Urban Indian, and California Indian as follows: 2. Indian a. An individual is an "Indian" per 25 USC § 1603(13) if they are a member of an Indian tribe. b. "Indian tribe" is defined as any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or group or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. 3. Urban Indian a. An individual is an "Urban Indian" per 25 USC § 1603(18) if they: i. Reside in an urban center, defined as any community which has a sufficient urban Indian population with unmet health needs to warrant assistance under subchapter IV of the IHCIA, as determined by the Secretary of Health and