Clarifying Information - WAC 388-444-0005

Exempt clients (per WAC 388-444-0010 ) aren't required to register for work, so they are not work registrants.

Non-exempt clients are people who receive Basic Food and must be registered for work. They are considered work registrants, and further divided into two groups:

Work Registrants Clients age 16 through 59 who do not meet an exemption listed in WAC 388-444-0010 must register for work and meet Work Registration requirements. Non-ABAWD work registrants do not have time limits. Participation in Employment & Training is voluntary in Washington State. Work registrants who voluntarily quit a job or reduce their work hours below 30 hours a week without good cause will face a penalty DSHS registers the clients for work by completing the Work Registration page in ACES/3G. Work Registrants Who are ABAWDs Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) are a subset of Work Registrants who must meet further requirements to remain eligible for benefits. Note: Individuals age 60-64 are exempt from the general Work Registration rules, however they are subject to ABAWD work requirements and timelines if not otherwise exempt. Able-bodied adults, ages 18 through 64 without dependents, who live in a non-waived area, are required to participate in specific activities to retain eligibility for Basic Food beyond the three-month time limit unless they have an exemption or exception to participation rules. See ABAWDs- Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents for information on exemptions and exceptions. ABAWD clients are referred to options to meet their participation requirements.