SNAP or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the best way to cash money in order to buy healthy food. In this way, you can deal with food insecurity and have the possibility to save for other goods and services.
The Foood Stamps program is constantly changing. For example, SNAP beneficiaries received more money after the 2024 COLA increase that came into effect on October 1, 2023.
Another thing that changed can affect you is if you are between the ages of 50 and 52. Be careful because your SNAP benefits may only last for up to three months if you are in the following situation.
50 to 52-years old should know this about SNAP benefits
The Food Stamps program requires 18-52 beneficiaries who have no children to meet certain work requirements. These work requirements are also known as time limits.
Bear in mind that if you are older than 52 or younger than 18, you are not subject to this time limit. The United States Department of Agriculture refers to it as the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents time limit.
The Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents work requirements prevent 18-52 recipients from getting SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a three-year period unless they meet all the work requirements.
These work requirements have to do with working for at least 80 hours per month. That is about 20 hours per week. If you work for at least 80 per week, you can continue collecting Food Stamps for a longer period of time. Training or getting some education are among the possible alternatives to working.
What are the new and old ABAWD exemptions for SNAP beneficiaries aged 18-52?
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has announced three new ABAWD exemptions. So, if you are a veteran, you do not need to meet this work requirement or time limit at ages 18-52.
Those American citizens who have aged out of foster care and are aged 18-24 do not have to meet the ABAWD time limit either. If by any chance you are experiencing homelessness now, you can continue collecting SNAP benefits.
Apart from these three exemptions, there are others that were available before September 1, 2023. For example, if you have a qualifying disability, you do not have to meet the ABAWD time limit.
Women who are pregnant do not have to meet this work requirement to carry on collecting Food Stamps for more than three months. Do not forget that when your SNAP benefits are about to expire, you may receive a notice. Then, all you have to do is to recertify.
