245 ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS SR 18-24, 02/18 (FSM-A)

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Individuals who are able bodied and without dependents (ABAWD) must meet special work participation requirements in order to receive food stamps unless they are exempt from these requirements. See Section 245.03 , Criteria for Exemption from ABAWD Work Participation Requirements, for exemption criteria.

• ABAWD individuals who are not exempt as described below, and who fail to meet at least one of the ABAWD work participation requirements are ineligible for food stamps if, during the preceding 36 months period (beginning no earlier than December, 1996), they received food stamps for 3 full months or more as a non-exempt individual. The 3 months need not be consecutive, but must be full calendar months. Do not count partial months of receipt when determining the 3 month limit.

• If an ABAWD individual received food stamps in any state during the previous 36 month period, count any full month of receipt in which the individual was not exempt and did not satisfy ABAWD work requirements toward the 3 full months of food stamp receipt allowed to nonexempt ABAWD individuals who are not meeting ABAWD requirements.

• Individuals who lose eligibility under ABAWD policy may regain eligibility ("cure" their ineligibility) one time during the 36 month period by first participating in one of the work participation activities for 80 hours over a 30 day period. Individuals may also regain eligibility if their become exempt from the ABAWD provisions.

- To maintain eligibility after the "cure," the individual must continue to meet work participation requirements.

- If the individual loses eligibility again after a one time "cure," they may receive up to an additional 3 consecutive months of food stamps while not meeting ABAWD work participation requirements or exempt. After receiving food stamps for these additional months, the individual is ineligible for the remainder of the 36 month period unless they meet work participation requirements or become exempt.