536.1 General Policy

An ABAWD is an able-bodied adult without dependents.  ABAWD eligibility for SNAP is limited to three countable months in a three-year period (known as the three-month time limit) unless the individual meets the ABAWD work requirement or is otherwise exempt.

7 CFR § 273.24

An ABAWD is a SNAP applicant or recipient who is:

• Fit for employment (i.e. able-bodied)
• Age 18 through 49 (i.e. adult)
• Not living in a SNAP household with a minor under age 18. (i.e. without dependents)

If an ABAWD received SNAP benefits for three countable months in a fixed three-year period, that individual is not eligible to continue receiving SNAP benefits unless the individual:

7 CFR § 273.24(a)

• Is meeting the federal ABAWD work requirement; or
• Regains eligibility by working or participating 80 hours within a 30-day period as listed in Section 536.25; or
• Is exempt as listed in Section 536.2; or
• Is living in a geographical waived area; or
• Is exempt under the 15 percent exemption option.  

NOTE:  Partial months and Expedited SNAP issuances (which may include a full month) are not included in the three countable months.

536.11 ABAWD Clocks and the Fixed Three-Year Period

ABAWD clocks keep track of the fixed three-year period and the three countable months for every individual that receives the time-limited three months of SNAP benefits.  There are two ABAWD clocks: 

7 CFR § 273.24(b)

1.   Three-year fixed clock – a clock that counts a three-year fixed period for everyone in the state. 

7 CFR § 273.24(b)(3)

• The clock starts at the first day of the first month of a three-year fixed period.

• The clock ends at the last day of the last month of the fixed-three year period.   

• The current three-year fixed period is January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 for the entire caseload. 

Every fixed three-year fixed period, an ABAWD can begin to receive a new count of three months of benefits.  

2.   ABAWD clock – a clock that counts the receipt of the three countable months of time-limited benefits within the current three-year fixed period.

• The clock starts when an individual begins their first full month of non-expedited SNAP benefits and adds to the count each full month of benefits received. 

• If SNAP benefits are not received each month, the clock stops. 

• If the benefits are received without stopping, the clock keeps track of each full month until the individual has received three full months of benefits.    

• The clock ends at the last day of the third month of receipt of SNAP benefits in the fixed three-year fixed period. 

Once the three countable months have been used in a current fixed three-year period, the ABAWD will not be eligible for SNAP benefits again until the new three-year fixed period begins or the ABAWD regains eligibility, meets an exemption, moves to a waived area, or starts meeting the work requirement.

7 CFR § 273.24(b)(1)

Updated January 4, 2018; Replacing November 15, 2016