Through ARPA, USDA received waiver authority to support WIC and FMNP outreach, innovation, and modernization. Waivers are currently available to support WIC online shopping and ARPA funded projects.
Here are some resources to find out more about SNAP ABAWDs and related information.
This letter provides information to WIC state agencies and WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program state agencies on available American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 waivers and a new state agency request process.
The purpose of this guide is to consolidate guidance and policy on serving able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs).
FNS has estimated the number of new discretionary exemptions each state has earned for FY 2024. States that operated under a statewide waiver of the ABAWD time limit did not earn any new exemptions.
FNS is issuing this second set of questions and answers in response to inquiries received from SNAP state agencies concerning implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act suspended the time limit and work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) until July 1, 2023. This memorandum discusses requirements for state agencies related to notifying households about the ABAWD time limit and work requirement before ABAWDs become subject to the time limit again.
As part of the WIC innovation and modernization efforts to be funded under ARPA, FNS is supporting planning and implementation projects focused on enhancements that improve the WIC participant experience, as evidenced by enhancing the WIC shopping experience, increasing participant enrollment, reducing unnecessary administrative burden for both participants and administrators, including through data matching to streamline enrollment, and retaining eligible participants while improving equity
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided USDA with $390 million, available through FY 2024, to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts to increase participation and redemption of benefits for both the WIC program and the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
In preparation for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, FNS is sharing critical decision points and important resources state agencies should reference as they plan to reinstate the ABAWD time-limit.