Americans on SNAP benefit payments aged 18-54 who have no exemption must meet the ABAWD work requirement. However, if you do not meet them, you will lose your Food Stamps after three months of getting them (in a period of 3 years). If you still need money to buy groceries and you have lost them, there is something you could do about it claims USDA and the Food and Nutrition Service.
USDA states that to receive SNAP again, you must comply with the ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents) work requirement for 30 days. If you do not meet this ABAWD work requirement, you could also become excused. But how?
7 ways to become excused from the SNAP ABAWD work requirement
For example, if you are age 24 (or younger) and you are or were in foster care on your 18th birthday, you can get an exemption. People who are experiencing homelessness also qualify for a waiver.
Veterans do not have to meet the ABAWD work requirement either. Another way to avoid this rule is to be pregnant or have an under-18 living in your household.
Of course, if you have a disability you are also excused. It does not matter if your disability is mental or physical. As long as your condition is qualifying, any of them will be fine.
Is there any other way to get SNAP benefits back?
If you lost SNAP benefits because you did not meet the ABAWD work requirement, you can also wait for the time limit. The time limit is 3 years. So, all you have to do is wait until the end of your three-year period.
After three years have passed, you will be able to receive SNAP benefits for 3 months again. Before losing them, you could also find ways to continue receiving them.
For example, you could take part in an eligible work program or even work as a volunteer. It does not matter if the work you do is unpaid or you get money, goods, or services.