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Page | 253 and the month will continue to count until the month’s benefits have been repaid. SNAP program staff will track repayment of ABAWD benefits and notify staff when the month no longer counts. In order for SNAP program staff to monitor ABAWD repayment, a copy of the DSS-EA-894, must be sent to SNAP Program staff at the same time the original document is sent to ORFI.

Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR) staff will develop the workfare site, complete the workfare site agreement, explain the time sheets, and enter the hours of participation for all non- exempt ABAWDS regardless of where the individual resides. DLR may also require the individual to complete supervised job search, or another component, as part of the workfare hours. If DLR requires supervised job search, along with workfare, DLR will continue to monitor attendance (time sheets) and job search requirements (job search contact form). If DLR does not require job search activities, it will be a mutual decision between DLR and DSS on who will monitor attendance at the worksite. In all instances, DLR must update the hours of participation.

Individuals who work at an approved workfare site may receive a $25 per month reimbursement payment. DSS staff must enter an “F” in the CSRV field on the member panel on ACCESS to generate the $25 payment. The “F” code should be entered whenever an individual works at least one hour at an approved workfare site. The “F” code automatically generates the $25 payment to be loaded onto the Electronic Payment Card (EPC). After the initial payment, the $25 payment is made around the 10th of the month.

If an individual starts the approved workfare site but does not work the required number of hours, they are still entitled to the $25 reimbursement check for that month but are not entitled to the ABAWD exemption. To remove the ABAWD workfare exemption, Specialists must update the MEMS panel, ABWD COOP field to “N”. Remember to change the “F” on the CSRV code to an “N” the following month.

If an individual is in the Refugee Job Link Program or Tribal Work Experience Program (TWEP), they meet the workfare exemption. Both programs require the individual to participate in their programs for 40 hours per week; therefore, they have met their required number of hours. Each program is responsible for monitoring attendance and reimbursing the individual for expenses. DSS only needs to verify the individual is a participant of the program to consider the exemption being met. The individual must be notified to report when and if their participation in Job Links or TWEP is terminated.

13240 TIME LIMITS (ABAWD)

Benefits Specialist should utilize all available information to verify an individual’s exemption status before requiring an individual to provide sources of verification for their exemption status. Individuals who do not meet any of the exemptions for ABAWD are restricted to 3 months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month period with the possibility of one 3-month extension being granted. Example: On September 15, Jane reported and verified that she was to start employment at a workfare site on October 1 with the required Workfare hours of 23 scheduled for October. On October 15, Jane became ill and entered the hospital. The doctor would not release Jane for work until November. October remains an exempt month from ABAWD time limits even though Jane only worked 15 hours because she had good cause for failing to complete the required hours. Prospective eligibility was correctly determined because her illness could not be reasonably anticipated. If Jane had not become sick and refused to work the remaining 7 hours in October, the month would become countable, and a claim established for October benefits if she had already used her 3 months of ABAWD.