245.05 ABAWD Work Participation Requirements SR 09-15, 04/09 (FSM-A)

Unless exempt, ABAWD individuals must meet certain work participation requirements in order to receive food stamps*. To meet ABAWD work participation requirements, an ABAWD individual must:

• work at least 20 hours per week (averaged monthly);

• participate in a state or local workfare program; or

• participate in and comply with a work program other than job search or job search training.

- ABAWD individuals may combine activities in order to meet participation requirements. For example, an individual who is working 60 hours per month and participating in an approved work program for 30 hours per month is considered to be satisfying ABAWD participation requirements.

Work At Least 20 Hours Per Week Averaged Monthly

An ABAWD individual must be employed an average of 20 hours per week. The number of hours per week is averaged monthly, so the ABAWD individual must work a minimum of 80 hours per month in order to meet this requirement. Unpaid work and work for in-kind services are counted towards an individual’s hourly work requirement, but these individuals, and individuals who are self-employed, must document the actual hours worked per week in order to meet this requirement.

Example

If the individual works 10 hours for their room and board (work for in-kind services) in week 1; 0 hours in week 2; and 40 unpaid hours each in weeks 3 and 4, the minimum monthly requirement of 80 hours per month is met.

State or Local Workfare Participation Requirement

An ABAWD individual can meet the ABAWD work participation requirement by participating in a state or local "workfare" program. There is no set number of hours of workfare necessary to satisfy the ABAWD workfare participation requirement. If the individual is fulfilling the workfare obligations as set forth by the town or city requiring workfare, the individual is considered to be meeting the ABAWD requirement.

Participation in and Compliance with a Work Program

An ABAWD individual can meet the ABAWD work participation requirement by participating in certain specified work programs for at least 20 hours per week. A work program means a(n):

• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 Program administered by Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS);

• Trade Adjustment Assistance Act Program administered by New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES); or

• Employment and Training (E&T) Program, other than a job search or job search training program.