In December 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a proposed rule entitled “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents”. This action supports the Agency’s commitment to self-sufficiency by more broadly applying SNAP’s work-related program standards for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs).
SNAP’s QC system uses a tolerance level to set the threshold for determining which errors are included in the national payment error rate calculation. For FY 2019, the tolerance threshold will remain at $37.
Factsheet on the SNAP quality control process and payment error rates.
In order to accurately estimate improper payments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Food and Nutrition Service has undertaken significant steps to strengthen its measurement process, the SNAP Quality Control system. Improvements include new training, policy clarifications, procedural improvements, and clarification of existing documentation requirements necessary to substantiate case findings.
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.
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.
Characteristics of non-disabled adults aged 18 through 49 who live in childless households.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 limits the amount of time an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) can receive SNAP benefits to 3 months in a 36-month period, unless the individual is working and/or participating in a work program half-time or more, or participating in workfare.
This memorandum provides clarification of changes made to Section 1240 - Transmission/Release of Active Case Findings to FNS, Data Checking, and Changing Case Findings and Section 13 70 - Transmission of Negative Case Findings to FNS, Data Checking and Changing Case Findings in the October 2017 edition of the FNS Quality Control Review Handbook 310.