July 2015 SNAP Changes ABAWD REQUIREMENTS & LOSS OF SNAP BENEFITS

ABAWD What is an ABAWD? Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents 18 to 49 years old not pregnant able to work 20+ hours a week doesn’t live in a household with a child under 18

ABAWD Beginning July 1, 2015, ABAWDs who are receiving SNAP must be working an average of 20 hours/week or participating in SNAP sanctioned Employment and Training programs for 20+ hours/week or they will likely lose their SNAP benefits until they come back into compliance. Letters about this change are scheduled to go out to folks identified as ABAWDs in May 2015 We will probably get calls and/or have questions when we’re doing our SNAP screenings.

ABAWD If an ABAWD goes more than 3 months without working at least 20 hours/week and/or participating in a SNAP Employment & Training program (E&T) during the 36 month window of 7/1/15-6/30/18, they will lose their SNAP. It could be any month within that window of time (the 3- months don’t have to be consecutive). The person can regain their SNAP by coming into compliance for one full calendar month.

ABAWD Here is an example: An ABAWD lost their full-time job in October 2015 (after they had worked 80 hours for the month) & did not enroll in an E&T program. They started a new full-time job December 1, (November 2015 is Month 1 of non-compliance) They lost that job in February, , didn’t enroll in an E&T program and didn’t find a new job until June 25, (March & April 2017 are months 2 & 3). on or around May 1, 2017 they would lose their SNAP. on or around August 1, 2017 they could get their SNAP back if they were still income-qualified.

ABAWD People exempt from these rules are: Under 18 or over 50 Medically certified as unfit for work Pregnant Residing in a household with a member under 18 This means the ABAWD would apply for SNAP as part of that family, not a “roommate” situation. Foster parents, Grandparents or Other kinship care relationships would likely be exempt. Otherwise exempt from SNAP work requirements Someone who was once an ABAWD, but then became pregnant or so disabled they couldn’t work for a period of time and then dipped under 20 hours/week would not risk losing SNAP.

ABAWD SNAP Sanctioned Employment and Training (E&T) activities mostly means working with an employment program but does include (to some extent) searching on your own for employment. The Division of Family Resources (DFR) will also maintain a list of SNAP-sanctioned job search, career counseling, job training, and job retraining programs that meet the E&T standards. We are hoping to eventually get that list from DFR so we can just directly refer folks into those programs (maybe using a filter?).

ABAWD Whether an ABAWD’s hours were reduced voluntarily or involuntarily, if they drop below 20 hours/week (or 80 hours in a month) they will have to report that change to DFR right away. They will need to participate in enough Employment and Training activities to reach that 80 hour/month threshold or that will count as being out of compliance. After three months of non-compliance, the person loses their SNAP. Once they have worked or completed E&T for 80 hours in a month, the person can reapply for SNAP.

ABAWD We will use the Welfare to Work Programs taxonomy term to find the DFR listing for anything related to ABAWD, reporting hour changes, questions about the letters, etc. We will use Food Stamp/SNAP Applications for people who want to apply for SNAP. We will use Food Stamp/SNAP Appeals/Complaints for people who want to complain. If someone lost a job or hours, don’t forget the Unemployed/Laid Off or Reduction in Hours/income contact markers.

The DFR listing under Welfare to Work Programs will be used for both TANF and SNAP IMPACT, SNAP E&T questions, the HIP Gateway to Work program, etc.

Other SNAP stuff you might want to know…. Work registration is a general requirement of all SNAP recipients age 16 and older. Work registration rules require that clients accept legitimate offers of work, do not quit or voluntarily reduce hours of work when working 30 or more hours per week, etc. Work registrants can be from 16-59, have children of their own, etc. ABAWD status applies to work registrants who are between 18-49, able bodied and without dependents. There are various exemptions from general work registration (disability, etc.) An individual’s work registration status is determined at the time of each interview with the client. Clients may also report changes in work registration status which would have to be verified. When clients sign an application, they are agreeing to be work registered.

HIP 2.0 There is a new work-readiness/career counseling program that has started in conjunction with HIP 2.0 called “Gateway to Work”. This program is NOT a requirement, just an option for some HIP members. A tip about this program is at the bottom of the list under the Career Counseling and Prejob Guidance taxonomies. Not all HIP 2.0 members are eligible for the program. If someone is eligible, they will get a letter from the DFR. You CANNOT self-enroll in this program. If clients have questions, refer them to their local DFR office. Use the Welfare to Work Programs taxonomy to find the DFR number.

ABAWD Questions?