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Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD)
What is an ABAWD?
An Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) is a Non-Assistance Food Stamp (NAFS) recipient over age 17 and under age 50, who, in order to remain eligible for food stamps, must meet the ABAWD work requirement. NAFS recipients are those who get food stamps each month, but do not receive a monthly cash grant under the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. Federal law governing the ABAWD work requirement is contained in Section 6(o) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
How is the ABAWD work requirement met?
The ABAWD work requirement is met by working at least 20 hours per week; participating at least 20 hours per week in an allowable work activity such as vocational training or basic education programs; or participating in workfare (i.e., community service). The number of hours of participation in workfare is determined by dividing the food stamp allotment by the higher of the state or federal minimum wage. ABAWDs cannot receive food stamps for more than three months in a 36-month period unless they meet this work requirement or are exempt from the ABAWD work requirement or live in a county with an ABAWD waiver.
Who is exempt or waived from the ABAWD work requirement?
Food stamp recipients are exempt from the ABAWD work requirement for reasons that include pregnancy, care for a dependent child, physical or mental unfitness, regular participation in a drug or alcohol treatment program, half-time school attendance, employment of 30 hours or more per week, and participation in CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work activities. Federal law also establishes what is called the 15 percent exemption which permits states and counties to temporarily excuse ABAWDs who would otherwise be ineligible due to failure to satisfy the ABAWD work requirement. Criteria for the 15 percent exemption are established by the counties and include such things as illiteracy, remoteness, temporary homelessness, lack of adequate transportation, and working 10 to nineteen hours per week and unable to meet the 20-hour work requirement. Federal government determines the annual number of 15 percemt exemptions that are allocated to each state under the 15 percent criteria. California Department of Social Services, in turn, distributes a proportionate share of the exemptions to each county based on the size of their NAFS caseload. Counties that meet specified unemployment rate criteria can qualify for a federal waiver of the ABAWD work requirement, which waives the work requirement for all ABAWDs residing in the county.
Can a person who fails to meet the ABAWD work requirement regain eligibility for food stamps?
Persons who fail to meet the ABAWD work requirement may regain eligibility if, during a 30-day period, they work or participate in workfare or an allowable work activity for the required number of hours. Persons, who regain eligibility and stop meeting the ABAWD requirement for reasons such as layoff, may receive food stamps for one grace period of three consecutive months during a 36-month period.
Highlights
- Services are provided in all 58 counties.