Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0091 Questions and Answers: Final Rulemaking Requirements for ABAWDs

On Dec. 5, 2019, the  FNS final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, will publish in the Federal Register. The rule revises the conditions under which FNS would waive, when requested by states, the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit in areas that have an unemployment rate of over 10 percent or a lack of sufficient jobs. In addition, the rule limits the carryover of unused ABAWD discretionary exemptions. 

12/04/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0049 Q&As on SNAP E&T Provisions of the Farm Bill

The attached questions and answers are in response to changes made by Section 4005 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, enacted on Dec.20, 2018, to the SNAP Employment and Training program and certain Able-bodied Adults without Dependents work policies.

05/17/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0048 SNAP Section 4005 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 - Questions and Answers

These questions and answers are in response to changes made by Section 4005 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, enacted on Dec. 20, 2018, to the SNAP Employment and Training program and certain Able-bodied Adults without Dependents work policies. 

05/17/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0019 Census 2020 Demonstration Project Policy Memo

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise you of Food and Nutrition Service’s decision to offer state agencies the opportunity to participate in a demonstration project to exclude earned income from temporary employment in the 2020 Census.

03/08/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2018-0034 Innovation and Evaluation in SNAP Demonstration Projects

This memorandum outlines the approach FNS will begin to take to work with state agencies as they request approval for new demonstration projects or renewal of existing projects, to ensure all active demonstration projects are testing innovative approaches with appropriate evaluations. 

09/13/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2018-0020 Clarifications on Work Requirements, ABAWDs, and E&T

The Office of lnspector General's 2016 Audit Report, Food and Nutrition Service Controls over SNAP Benefits for Able Bodied Adults without Dependents, recommended that FNS perform analysis to identify problematic areas for states in terms of ABAWD policy and then provide states with additional best practices to address those areas. 

05/25/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2018-0019 Best Practices and Resources for Informing Households of ABAWD Rules

This memorandum provides best practices and resources to help state agencies effectively inform SNAP households of the requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents and to enrich training for eligibility workers.

05/25/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0018 Requirements for Informing Households of ABAWD Rules

Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, limits the time able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) can receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to 3 months in any 36-month period, unless the individual meets the ABAWD work requirement or is otherwise exempt.

04/17/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0076 Clarifying Obsolete Regulatory References to WIOA, Americorps, ABAWDs

This memo clarifies both how states must treat Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for the purposes of the ABAWD work requirement and identifies obsolete statutory references to programs under the WIOA.

10/17/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0030 ABAWD Time Limit Exemption for Veterans Disability Benefit

This memorandum clarifies how to apply an exemption from the SNAP time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents related to individuals receiving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation. 

SP37-2016
05/20/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021