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NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance- TA and SNAP Employment Policy Manual Section 385.3 - Page 20 Rev. 4/2025 About Your Rights and is included in the SNAP opening and recertification letters that are generated through the Client Notices System (CNS). ABAWD Requirements In order for an ABAWD to remain eligible for SNAP benefits for more than three months in the fixed 36-month period, the individual must meet the ABAWD requirement through one of the following methods. The ABAWD must: • work (including “in-kind” work and volunteer work) for a total of at least 80 hours per month; or • participate in a qualifying work or training program approved by the social services district for at least 80 hours per month; or • participate in an employment and training program for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs for at least 80 hours per month; or • participate in a program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or Trade Act which may include job search, job readiness, occupational skills training, and education activities for at least 80 hours per month; or • participate in a combination of work or qualifying work programs for at least 80 hours per month; or • participate in and comply with a work experience assignment for the number of hours per month equal to the household’s SNAP benefit divided by the higher of the Federal or State minimum wage. In accordance with federal regulations at 7 CFR 273.24, a standalone supervised job search program is not a qualifying E&T activity relating to the participation requirements necessary to maintain SNAP eligibility for ABAWDs unless the hours of participation are limited to less than half of the total number of hours that the individual is participating in ABAWD qualifying activities each month. However, a job search program, supervised or otherwise, when operated under title I of WIOA, under section 236 of the Trade Act, or a program of employment and training for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs, is considered a qualifying activity as related to the participation requirements necessary to maintain SNAP eligibility for ABAWDs. As long as an ABAWD meets the ABAWD requirement through one of these methods, the ABAWD remains eligible to receive SNAP benefits if otherwise eligible. An ABAWD is not allowed to participate on behalf of another ABAWD in the SNAP case, thus relieving that second individual of the responsibility of maintaining their eligibility. Two ABAWDs in a household can maintain their eligibility by participating in work experience for a total of the maximum hours