Born in 1970 or 1971? You are 53 or 54 years old now or will be in 2024. There are changes coming to SNAP rules that will also affect people aged 53 or 54. The Able-Bodied Adult Time Limit (ABAWD) only applies to people between the ages of 18 and 52 until September 30, 2024.
This means that you can’t get SNAP benefits for more than three months in a row if you don’t work at least 80 hours a month. Of course, this rule will only apply to people aged 18 to 54, and there will be exceptions.
SNAP and the ABAWD exemptions
This rule is for people who can work and don’t have any kids, as the name suggests. So, this rule won’t apply to you if you have a disability, even if you are 18 to 54 years old. And the same goes for people between the ages of 18 and 54 who have a child or two or more children.
Also, veterans who get SNAP will not have to follow this rule about time limits. That means Veterans can also get a pardon. This release is also good for people who are pregnant.
If you are 55 or older, don’t worry—this time limit doesn’t apply to you either. This protection also applies to young adults (18–24 years old) who have been released from foster care. You are also not required to work if you are poor or if you are exempt from the general rules of work.
What to do to continue receiving SNAP if you are an ABAWD aged 18-54
There are other things you could do besides working at least 80 hours a month. If you do one of them, you will keep getting Food Stamps for more than three months over the next three years.
You can join a work program to meet the ABAWD work standards. You should know that this work program must also have 80 hours, just like if you were working. You don’t have to use SNAP Employment and Training.
If your SNAP office says it’s okay, you can do both work and training at the same time. One more time, you have to do both jobs for 80 hours. Some people who get SNAP may want to work for the number of hours they are given each month instead. It is based on how much Food Stamps money you get.