OLGT 2015-53 - SNAP: Upcoming ABAWD Work Program Requirements

Due to high unemployment rates and a depressed labor market,Massachusetts has qualified for and operated under a waiver of the ABAWD time-limited benefit requirement since June of 2008. This waiver will expire on December 31, 2015. 

Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) are limited to 3 months of eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during a 36 month period, unless the client is meeting the ABAWD Work Program (WP) Requirement. 

In anticipation of the reinstatement of this requirement the Department is collaborating with stakeholders to develop a multifaceted plan to address the needs of ABAWDs. 

To ensure that exempt clients are not incorrectly subject to ABAWD WP requirements, BEACON must accurately reflect each client’s situation at all times. Whenever an electronic case folder is accessed, workers must review and update the Work Requirements-FS page to reflect current information about work program requirement status.