245 ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS (ABAWDS) SR 18-26 Dated 09/18

An able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) is a person age 18 through 49 who does not live with a child under 18 and who is fit for work.

ABAWDs must meet special work requirements, unless exempt from these requirements. To receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, non-exempt ABAWDs must do one or more of these things:

●	work—work can be for pay, for goods or services (like trading work for rent payment, also referred to as in-kind services), or as a volunteer; or
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●	be in an approved work training program. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) training or a training program at a local community college are examples of approved work training programs. Other training programs may also be allowable but must be approved as meeting ABAWD work requirements by the District Office Supervisor.

ABAWDs must be participating in one or more of these activities for at least 80 hours per month.

ABAWDs must receive a minimum 4-month certification period.

ABAWDs cannot receive more than 3 full months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month period while not meeting ABAWD work requirements.

See Section 245.03, Criteria for Exemption from ABAWD Work Participation, for exemption criteria.

References: He-W 701.01; 7 CFR 273.12(a)(5); 7 CFR 273.24; 7 USC 2015(o)