FNS Documents & Resources

USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.

Here are some resources to find out more about SNAP ABAWDs and related information. 

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.

USDA has issued guidance to states in implementing FFCRA of 2020 which provides for the issuance of emergency allotments based on a public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of HHS under the Public Health Service Act related to an outbreak of COVID-19 when a state has also issued an emergency or disaster declaration.

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. 

FNS has estimated the number of new discretionary exemptions each state has earned for FY 2023. States that operated under a statewide waiver of the ABAWD time limit did not earn any new exemptions.

USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.