SNAP Work Rules Script

When conducting SNAP interviews, the worker must explain the Work Registration and ABAWD rights and responsibilities.

You may use the following script when discussing Work Registration and ABAWD in a SNAP interview. The worker should tailor this information to the situation and maintain a conversational tone with the client.

Any household member ages 16 to 59 and able to work, will need to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits unless exempt.

These are agreeing to register for work, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without good cause. Disqualifications may occur if a household member fails to comply unless good cause exists.

Examples of good cause include discrimination, unreasonable work demands, other employment or enrollment of at least part-time in an educational program requires you or other household member to leave employment, retirement, initial offer of hours or earnings does not materialize or circumstances beyond your control such as illness, unavailability of transportation, household emergency or lack of adequate childcare for children ages 6-12.

Are there any household members currently employed at least 30 hours a week or earning wages at least equal to $217.50 per week?

A Work Registration exemption applies for those individuals.

Are there any household members ages 16 to 59 years old that are unable to work?

Let’s go over any other exemptions that may apply?

• Meeting work requirements for another program (TANF or unemployment compensation);
• Taking care of a child under 6 or an incapacitated person;
• Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation;
• Participating regularly in an alcohol or drug treatment program;
• Studying in school or a training program at least half-time (but college students are subject to other eligibility rules).

If none of these exemptions exist:

If you are age 18–54*, able to work, and don’t have any dependents, you might need to meet both the general work requirements and an additional work requirement for (Able Bodied Adults without Dependents) ABAWDs to get SNAP for more than 3 months in 36 months. If you agree to register for work, the household will receive a letter explaining the work registration requirements for our state as well as receive information and resources for finding employment. Good cause reasons are also explained in the letter.  The work requirement for ABAWD can be fulfilled by:

• Work at least 80 hours a month. Work can be for pay, for goods or services (for something other than money), unpaid, or as a volunteer;
• Participate in a work program at least 80 hours a month. A work program could be SNAP Employment and Training or another federal, state, or local work program;
• Participate in a combination of work and work program hours for a total of at least 80 hours a month;
• Participate in workfare for the number of hours assigned to you each month (the number of hours will depend on the amount of your SNAP benefit.)

You are excused from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit if you meet any of these exemptions:

• Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation;
• Pregnant;
• Have someone under 18 in your SNAP household;
• Excused from the general work requirements (work registration exemptions previously discussed);
• A veteran;
• Experiencing homelessness;
• Age 24 or younger and in foster care on your 18th birthday.

If you have to meet the ABAWD work requirement, but you don’t; you will lose your benefits after 3 months. To get SNAP again, you must meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period (work at least 80 hours) or become excused. Otherwise, you need to wait until the end of your 36-month period, when you’ll get another 3 months under the time limit.

Please be sure to report any changes in work hours if they are reduced to under 20 hours per week/80 hours per month.  Changes can be reported to the customer service line at (405) 522-5050.