SNAP benefits are another name for Food Stamps.

ABAWD stands for “Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents.” If you get SNAP and the Department of Human Services (DoHS) says you are an “ABAWD” it means you:

• Are between the ages of 18-64;
• Do not have a child aged 14 and under, or an older or disabled person you care for;
• Are someone that DoHS believes to be “fit to work.”

If DoHS says that you are an ABAWD, to keep your SNAP benefits you will have to:

• get a job, or
• show that you are “exempt” from the work requirement, or
• enroll with SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Program.

If you do not take one of these steps, then you will only get food stamps for 3 months in a three-year period.

If you are not working but you are looking for work, you can only get SNAP Food Stamps for 3 months within a 3-year period.

You need to work or take part in a work program for at least 20 hours a week.

You do not need to work 20 hours a week to get Food Stamps as an ABAWD if:

1. A doctor gives a statement to DoHS saying you are mentally or physically “unfit” for work;
2. You are pregnant;
3. You are in a drug or alcohol treatment program, if that program prohibits employment;
4. You get unemployment compensation;
5. You get disability benefits from Social Security or an employer;
6. You are a veteran who has been declared disabled by the VA;
7. You have children who are not old enough for school;
8. You get SNAP benefits with someone under the age of 14;
9. You are responsible for the care of a disabled adult;
10. You are at least a half-time student and follow SNAP rules.

If you can only get in 5-10 hours of work, DoHS will send you to the SNAP Employment and Training (E & T) program. SNAP E&T is a voluntary program that you must enroll into. If you choose to take part, you can meet your 20-hour-per-week work requirement.

You should contact DoHS and request a referral to the Employment and Training (E & T) program in your county. If you enroll in and take part in the Employment and Training program, it will count as a work program. The Employment and Training Program will meet the work requirement for SNAP.

The E&T program also allows you to do community service for a non-profit, charity, or religious charity to count for your SNAP work requirement. To have it count, you must have someone from the non-profit, charity, or religious charity sign that you do 20 hours of community service a week.

If you have any other questions, you may call the DoHS Customer Service Center at 1-877-716-1212 or your local DHHR office to report that you are exempt from the list above. You can also contact them to ask for a referral to the SNAP Employment and Training program.

You can contact 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or going online to find food pantries in your area.