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Resource | Policy Memos SNAP Work Requirement Policy Resources

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

10/20/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents SNAP Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Policy Guide

The purpose of this guide is to consolidate guidance and policy on serving able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs).

09/29/2023
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP - Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Percentage Exemption Totals for FY 22

FNS has estimated the number of new discretionary exemptions each state has earned for FY 2022. States that operated under a statewide waiver of the ABAWD time limit did not earn any new exemptions.

10/22/2021
Resource | Guidance Documents | FNS-GD-2021-0104 Guide to Supporting Requests to Waive the Time Limit for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD)

This guide consolidates and underscores FNS policy concerning waivers of the ABAWD time limit and replaces its predecessor, FNS' December 2016 Guide to Supporting Requests to Waive the Time Limit for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD). FNS advises state agencies to use this guide to understand, obtain, and prepare evidence that successfully supports an ABAWD time limit waiver request based on relevant sections of the Act; federal regulations; and historical SNAP policy.

09/30/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0096 SNAP - Preparing for Reinstatement of Time Limit for ABAWDs

This memorandum provides guidance to help states prepare to implement the SNAP time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) once the temporary and partial suspension under the Family First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) lapses. States must properly implement the time limit for ABAWDs while ensuring program access for all eligible participants.

09/20/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0087 SNAP FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments

This memorandum provides the federal FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to the SNAP maximum allotments for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2021.

08/16/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0082 SNAP Maximum Allotment Memo Delay

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 required USDA to re-evaluate the Thrifty Food Plan by 2022 and every 5 years thereafter based on current food prices, food composition data, consumption patterns and dietary guidance. By law, the June TFP is the basis for SNAP maximum allotments for the following fiscal year.

08/09/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0081 SNAP FY 2022 Cost of Living Adjustments Without Maximum Allotments

This memorandum provides the FY 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustments to SNAP, income eligibility standards, and deductions for the 48 contiguous states and D.C., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. COLAs are effective as of Oct. 1, 2021.

08/09/2021
Resource | Policy Memos FY 2022 State Management Evaluation Target Areas

FNS is targeting the areas of program operation listed, for state SNAP Agency Management Evaluations for the upcoming fiscal year. State SNAP agencies are required to conduct MEs for the target areas in the upcoming fiscal year.  

07/02/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0058 SNAP - ABAWD Discretionary Exemptions Totals for FY 2021

This memorandum adjusts the total number of exemptions available to each state for FY 2021, as shown in the table on the next page. This includes increases in the number of exemptions available to states in which caseloads increased by more than 10 percent, as described in section 6(o)(6)(F) of the Act.

05/11/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021