ABAWD

ABAWD Time Limit Waiver

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) introduced a waiver for the ABAWD Time Limit. The three-month time limit for ABAWDs is suspended from April 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010 with the state option to extend the waiver to September 30, 2011.

ABAWD Time Limit

1. Individual has regained and maintained eligibility OR
2. Individual is exempt form the ABAWD Time Limit OR
3. Individual has not received food stamp benefits for 3 full countable months, consecutive or otherwise, during a 36 month period OR
4. Individual has regained Eligibility OR
5. Individual has not received Food Stamp benefits for additional 3 month period.

Regain and Maintain Eligibility

1. Individual has Regained Eligibility AND
2. Individual is maintaining eligibility by meeting the ABAWD Time Limit Exemptions.

ABAWD Time Limit Exemptions

Individual may not receive more than 3 full countable month of Food Assistance benefits in a 36 month period unless s/he satisfies one of the following:

1. Individual meets any of the ABAWD Work Requirements OR
2. Individual is exempt from the ABAWD Work Requirements OR
3. Individual is exempt from the Food Assistance Work Requirements.

ABAWD Work Requirements

1. Individual has worked 80 or more hours a month OR
2. Individual has participated in and compiled with the requirements of a work program for 80 or more hours a month OR
3. Any combination of work and participation in a work program for a total of 80 hours a month; or participated in and compiled with a workfare program.

ABAWD Work Requirements Exemptions

1. Individual is medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment OR
2. Individual is pregnant.

Regain Eligibility

An ABAWD individual can regain Food Stamp benefit eligibility when:

1. Individual has received 3 full countable months of Food Stamp benefits during a 36 month period AND
2. Individual became ineligible due to failure to meet an exemption or comply with the ABAWD work requirement AND
3. ABAWD's can regain eligibility by becoming exempt from the ABAWD work requirement or the Food Assistance Work Requirements OR
4. ABAWD's can regain eligibility by performing one of the activities listed under ABAWD Work Requirement within any 30-consecutive day period.

Additional 3 Month Eligibility

ABAWD individual is entitled to an additional once off 3 month period of Food Assistance benefit during a 36 month period when the:

1. Individual regained eligibility by meeting the ABAWD work requirement AND
2. Individual is no longer fulfilling the ABAWD work requirement.