The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to ensure that no one goes hungry. Formerly called Food Stamps, the SNAP program helps to feed around 42 million Americans each month.
SNAP requirements have been changed recently to reflect the importance of work and responsibility. There are two sets of work requirements: general and able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD).
If you are age 16-59 and able to work, you probably need to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits. The general work requirements include registering for work, participating in SNAP Next Step Employment and Training, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.
You have met the general requirements if you already work at least 30 hours a week, meet work requirements for another program like TANF or unemployment compensation, take care of a child under age 6, take care of an incapacitated person, have a physical or mental limitation, are in an alcohol or drug treatment program, are in school or a training program at least half-time.
If you do not meet the work requirements, you are disqualified from getting SNAP benefits for at least a month, and you must meet the requirements before applying again. If you get back on SNAP, but then don’t meet the work requirements again, you are disqualified for longer than a month, and you may be disqualified permanently.
If you are age 18-52 (54 after October 1), able to work, and don’t have any dependents, you fit under the ABAWD work requirements.
Under ABAWD, you have to work or participate in a work program (like SNAP Next Step) at least 80 hours a month. Work can be for pay. It can be for something other than money, like goods, services, or housing. Or it can be as an unpaid volunteer.
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities in Box Butte County for people who fit under ABAWD. Several of these have been listed in a previous article. There is a form that must be signed to verify hours and work done.
If you don’t log the necessary hours, you will lose your benefits after three months. To get SNAP again, you must meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period, or prove that you have met an exception and are excused. Otherwise, you need to wait until the end of your three-year period, when you’ll get another three months of SNAP benefits, then wait until the end of another three years.
You can be excused under ABAWD work requirements if you have physical or mental limitations, are a veteran, are homeless, are pregnant, have someone under age 18 in your household, or you were in foster care until your 18th birthday and are currently 24 or younger.
For more information, go to dhhs.gov, the website for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.