OLGT 2015-67: Preparing for the Expiration of the Statewide SNAP ABAWD Waiver

Guidance from DTA on the reinstatement of the 3 month SNAP time limit for individuals age 18 through 49 who are considered "able-bodied wihtout dependents" or ABAWDs. Guidance details the allowable exemptions aren the requirements imposed on ABAWDs who are not exempt to keep their benefits beyond 3 months. This includes:  

• working for 20 hours per week averaged monthly; or
• participating in a qualifying Employment and Training (E&T) activity 20 hours per week; or
• volunteering at a community service site for a specified number of hours per month.

Non-exempt ABAWDs who fail to comply with the above requirement for any three months (which do not have to be consecutive) in a 36-month period are ineligible for SNAP benefits for the remaining months in the 36-month period unless they become exempt from or begin meeting the ABAWD Work Program (WP) requirement. Massachusetts, like most other states, has operated under a statewide waiver of the ABAWD WP requirement and time limited benefits since June 2008.