The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) have announced SNAP rule changes coming soon. Get ready if you are an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents and you would like to receive Food Stamps for over 3 months in 3 years.
If you do not meet the specific work requirements and you are aged 18-54, you will only be able to receive SNAP benefits for a total of three months. But what are the conditions USDA has set?
SNAP and ABAWD – What are the specific work requirements
As a matter of fact, USDA offers several possibilities to meet the specific work requirements. So, you can opt for the one that suits you best depending on your personal situation. Some Americans aged 18-54 will be able to get an exemption.
This new ABAWD time limit for 18-54 SNAP recipients will start on October 1, 2024. So, it will come into effect in less than 50 days. These specific requirements will ask you to work for at least 80 hours per month.
It does not matter if you get money, services or goods in exchange. In fact, work can be as a volunteer. Another possibility is to take part in training programs for the same number of hours, 80. For example, SNAP Employment and Training among other eligible local, state, or federal programs. Combing work and training may also be possible.
Arguments for Limiting ABAWD Exemptions:
- Proponents argue that work requirements incentivize self-sufficiency and help move people towards financial independence.
- Exemptions should be limited to only those who are truly unable to work, such as those with severe disabilities or barriers.
- Allowing too many exemptions could undermine the goal of encouraging work and reducing reliance on government assistance.
Arguments for Expanding ABAWD Exemptions:
- Critics argue that strict work requirements unfairly penalize vulnerable individuals who face significant barriers to employment.
- Many low-income ABAWDs may lack access to stable jobs, transportation, education/training, health care, and other support services needed to maintain steady employment.
- Cutting off food assistance does not address root causes of unemployment and could worsen food insecurity and poverty.
Top Training Programs to Help SNAP Beneficiaries Meet Work Requirements
Some of the key training programs that can help meet the work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries:
- Employment Services (Non-financial): They include resume writing, employer networking, mock interviews, job search training, and career certifications.
- Support Services (Financial): These assist with work/job interview attire, transportation (bus passes, gas reimbursement, car repairs), work permits, and course registration fees.
- Supervised Job Search: Participants get training and help to find jobs.
- Job Search Training: Provides training in job seeking skills, job application completion, interviewing techniques, etc.
- Work Experience: Participants gain skills and experience through actual work assignments, which can include internships. This helps provide recent work experience and references.
- Vocational Training: Skill-based training programs focused on a specific occupation or industry, such as healthcare, computer skills, office skills, etc. Examples include the ABLE Skills2Work 12-week computer and office skills training program and the Transitions to Work program providing vocational skills training to young adults with disabilities.
- Education: Programs that improve basic skills or employability, like GED and ESL classes.
- Job Retention: Services provided to help participants maintain employment once obtained.
Who is exempt from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit for SNAP benefits?
If you are age 24 or younger and in foster care on your 18th birthday, you are eligible for an exception. If you are experiencing homelessness, you do not have to meet these specific work requirements.
Veterans can also get an exemption, just like people with a disability or if they are pregnant. Having a child or someone under 18 in your household will allow you to avoid this time limit and additional work requirements.
When it comes to disabilities, they could be a mental or physical limitation. Not meeting ABAWD work requirements implies you will lose your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits after 3 months.
How Having a Child Affects ABAWD Work Requirements for SNAP Benefits
Having a child or someone under 18 in the household exempts an individual from the ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) work requirements for SNAP benefits. Here are the key points:
- The general SNAP work requirements apply to people ages 16-59 who are able to work, unless they meet certain exemptions. One exemption is taking care of a child under 6 or an incapacitated person.
- The ABAWD work requirement and time limit applies to able-bodied adults ages 18-49 (increasing to age 54 by 2024) who do not have dependents. Having someone under 18 in your SNAP household exempts you from the ABAWD rules.
- *The general work rules apply to adults with children. But, the stricter ABAWD rules do not if you have a child under 18 in your SNAP household. You do not need to work or train 80 hours per month, and the 3-month time limit does not apply.
- Recent changes from the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act are gradually increasing the ABAWD age limit to 54 by 2024. But having a child under 18 remains an exemption from ABAWD rules.