During the recession, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a blanket waiver for work requirement provisions for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. On January 1, 2016 that blanket waiver expired, and only certain counties and municipalities are exempt from the ABAWD requirements going forward.
According the requirements, an ABAWD is an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 49 years old who is not disabled, pregnant or living in a household with minor children. ABAWDs may only receive SNAP for three months in a 36 month period without fulfilling a requirement to work 20 hours per week or volunteer 26 hours per month.
Work requirements will be waived for ABAWDs in the following counties in 2016:
• Bedford • Cambria • Cameron • Carbon • Clearfield • Clinton • Fayette • Forest • Fulton • Huntingdon • Lackawanna • Luzerne • Mifflin • Monroe • Northumberland • Philadelphia • Pike • Potter • Schuylkill • Somerset • Sullivan • Tioga • Wyoming
In addition to the counties above, the following localities are included in the ABAWD waiver:
• Allentown • Berwick Borough • Bethlehem • Easton • Harrisburg • Lancaster • Lebanon • McKeesport • New Castle • Philadelphia Metropolitan Area (including Delaware County) • Reading • Williamsport • York
For more details about the exemption process, or for educational materials designed for customers, please contact Steve Neidlinger (717-760-5922).
According the requirements, an ABAWD is an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 49 years old who is not disabled, pregnant or living in a household with minor children. ABAWDs may only receive SNAP for three months in a 36 month period without fulfilling a requirement to work 20 hours per week or volunteer 26 hours per month.
Work requirements will be waived for ABAWDs in the following counties in 2016:
• Bedford • Cambria • Cameron • Carbon • Clearfield • Clinton • Fayette • Forest • Fulton • Huntingdon • Lackawanna • Luzerne • Mifflin • Monroe • Northumberland • Philadelphia • Pike • Potter • Schuylkill • Somerset • Sullivan • Tioga • Wyoming
In addition to the counties above, the following localities are included in the ABAWD waiver:
• Allentown • Berwick Borough • Bethlehem • Easton • Harrisburg • Lancaster • Lebanon • McKeesport • New Castle • Philadelphia Metropolitan Area (including Delaware County) • Reading • Williamsport • York
For more details about the exemption process, or for educational materials designed for customers, please contact Steve Neidlinger (717-760-5922).