Understanding How State Agencies Determine SNAP Participants’ Fitness for Work

The study aimed to understand how state agencies determined whether individuals were excused from the general and ABAWD work requirements or had a good cause for not meeting work requirements due to physical or mental limitations. Data was collected through:

1. A survey of 53 state agencies;
2. A document review at those agencies; and
3. In-depth case studies in four states, including semi-structured interviews and administrative data analysis.

Key Findings

• The process for determining exemptions from the general work requirement and exceptions from the ABAWD work requirement generally did not differ across state agencies.
• State agencies usually asked about physical and mental limitations first on the application.
• Most state agencies reported that they sometimes required verification of physical or mental limitations regardless of interview mode.
• Over half of state agencies allowed staff discretion in the types of physical or mental limitations that eligibility workers could consider when determining exemptions or exceptions.
• Many of the physical and mental limitations that state agencies considered for a good cause determination, such as physical injuries and long-term illnesses, could also be considered for an exemption or exception.
• Among case study states, rates at which individuals were exempt from the general work requirement because of physical or mental limitations at application ranged from 7 to 17 percent.