If a person uses their 3 Countable Months and loses their SNAP eligibility, they can regain eligibility if they work at least 80 hours in any 30 day period following the expiration of the SNAP benefits.

Some Frequently Asked Questions are listed below:

Q1. An ABAWD client received her first 3 free “K” months of benefits. Several months later she reapplies and has worked 80 hours in a 30-day period while not receiving benefits, but is no longer employed. Has she regained eligibility for the 3 additional consecutive months?

Yes. The criterion for regaining eligibility is to have worked at least 80 hours in ANY 30-day period following the expiration of SNAP benefits.

Q2. My customer initially applied for SNAP benefits in the month of May on 10-1-20. He was coded as “K” (initial ABAWD not meeting the work rule) for June, July and August. The customer regained eligibility by working 80 hours in the month of September.  The customer has continued that employment and is currently working an average of 20 hours per week at the time of his SNAP application. I have certified him, and have coded him “regained eligibility—maintaining 20 hour per week employment” (M).  What happens if the customer loses this job? 

The customer would be eligible for Y months if they have not yet received them. If only one Y month is used, the other 2 Y months are lost if there is a break. Y months have to be consecutive. After the Y months, the case would be closed on reason 80, for not meeting the work rule or an exemption.

Q3. We received an application on October 15^th and recognized that the customer had already used “K” months in the months of June, July and August. The customer was interviewed on October 19^th and showed proof that he had worked 80 hours between September 18^th– October 18^th. He is no longer employed as of October 18^th. He declares he is not ABAWD exempt upon review of the ABAWD exemptions with him in interview. Do I deny the 10/15 app date and give the app date of 18^th?

Yes. The customer can only regain eligibility while not receiving benefits. Deny the 10/15 application with reason “80 – ABAWD without required work history.” Certify benefits beginning 10/18, the date the customer completed 80 hours of work. Please be sure to case note clearly why you have denied the initial application and had to change the application date.

Q4. Client has received 3 full K months, and then reapplies a couple months later. There is no information or indication that the client has regained eligibility or is exempt. Attempts to contact the client were unsuccessful. Do we send an ADM-92 on these? If the application is considered expedited, do we SEO pending the information?

If the client has received all K months and then reapplies; they must show, they are either exempt or regained eligibility before the case can be processed further. An S/EO cannot be completed.

You would need to send an interview notice requesting an interview to determine eligibility.