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Resource | Policy Memos SNAP Work Requirement Policy Resources

Here are some resources to find out more about SNAP ABAWDs and related information. 

10/20/2023
Resource | Policy Standard Utility Allowances

States annually update Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) to reflect changes in utility costs. When determining a household’s eligibility, states consider a household’s total shelter costs, including the cost of utilities. Since actual utility costs are often hard to determine, states can use SUAs, which are standard amounts that represent low-income household utility costs in the state or local area. SUAs may be used in lieu of the household's actual costs when determining eligibility and benefit amount.

10/01/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Comment Request: SNAP SUA State Options

FNS will collect and approve information from state agencies on how the various state SNAP agencies develop, update, change and implement options will be determined for SUAs for household.

06/06/2023
Resource | Comment Request | SNAP Benefit Use Information Collection: SNAP State Agency Options for Standard Utility Allowances and Self-Employment Income

This information collection addresses the mandatory state agency information and burden estimates associated with the following state agency options under SNAP: establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.

11/07/2022
Resource | Notices Comment Request - Assessing SNAP Participants' Fitness for Work.

FNS will conduct a study to better understand how states determine whether individuals are exempted from work requirements or have good cause for not meeting work requirements due to a physical or mental limitation.

07/13/2022
Resource | Policy Memos SNAP COVID-19 Voluntary Quit and Good Cause Policy Clarification

This memorandum provides guidance to state agencies on how to determine if an individual has good cause for not meeting the general work requirement in situations related to COVID-19 vaccination requirements and COVID-19 workplace safeguards.

04/07/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0005 Use of SNAP Employment and Training Funds for SNAP Recipients Who Are Attending High School

This memo provides guidance on the use of SNAP E&T funds to pay for services for individuals who are attending high school. In most cases, it is likely neither legal nor appropriate to use E&T funds to pay for services for individuals are attending high school. In some instances, however, it is allowed and encouraged to use E&T funds for individuals who are of high school age, such as for individuals aged 16-17 who are subject to SNAP work requirements.

12/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0091 Questions and Answers: Final Rulemaking Requirements for ABAWDs

On Dec. 5, 2019, the  FNS final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, will publish in the Federal Register. The rule revises the conditions under which FNS would waive, when requested by states, the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit in areas that have an unemployment rate of over 10 percent or a lack of sufficient jobs. In addition, the rule limits the carryover of unused ABAWD discretionary exemptions. 

12/04/2019
Resource | Comment Request Comment Request - SNAP State Agency Options for Standard Utility Allowances and Self-Employment Income

This information collection addresses the state agency reporting burden associated with the following state agency options under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances (SUAs) and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.

10/25/2019
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: SNAP Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances

The proposed rule would revise SNAP regulations to standardize the methodology for calculating standard utility allowances. 

10/03/2019
Page updated: October 14, 2021