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 52 (i.e. adult); and
• Not living in a SNAP household with a minor under age 18. (i.e. without dependents)

7 U.S.C. § 2015(o)(3)(A)(ii)(II)

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 in a work program for 80 hours within a 30-day period, or participating in community service for the required number of 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 specified in Appendix A; or
• Is exempt under the discretionary exemption option in Section 536.24.

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.   Fixed three-year clock – a clock that counts a fixed three-year 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 fixed three-year period.

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

• The current fixed three-year period is January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026 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 for each ABAWD within the current fixed three-year period.

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

7 CFR § 273.24(b)(1)(iv)

• 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 period. 

Once the three countable months have been used in the current fixed three-year period, the ABAWD will not be eligible for SNAP benefits again until the new fixed three-year 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 April 18, 2024; Replacing February 9, 2024