Overview
An Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) is a person who is:
- 18 up to their 50th birthday, and
- is not disabled, and
- is not living with a dependent child under the age of 18.
An ABAWD is allowed to receive SNAP benefits for only 3 months during a 36-month period. This is called the ABAWD time limit. The ABAWD time limit does not apply if the ABAWD:
- meets the ABAWD work requirement s, or
- is exempt from the ABAWD time limit (described below).
An ABAWD can meet the ABAWD work requirements by:
- Working at least 80 hours a month; or
- Participating in a work program at least 80 hours a month; or
- Working and participating in a work program for a combination of at least 80 hours a month
An ABAWD is exempt from the ABAWD time limit and the ABAWD work requirements if he or she is:
- Under 18 years old; or
- Age 50 or older; or
- Living in a SNAP household with a child under 18 years old; or
- Physically or mentally unfit for employment; or
- Pregnant; or
- Exempt from general SNAP work requirements. This includes people who are: physically or mentally disabled; complying with the work requirements of another program; already working more than 30 hours a week; participating in a drug or alcoholic rehab program; applying for or receiving unemployment compensation benefits or enrolled as a student at least half time; or
- Living in an exempt town (certain Connecticut towns that have high unemployment rates)
As of April 1st, 2020, CT currently does not have any exempt cities or towns.
If you would like information about Connecticut’s SNAP Employment and Training program, please click here
If you need help finding a job, call or go to your local American Job Center or your local community action agency. American Job Center locations are available at https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ajc/FactSheets.htm.