Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Rules

Exemptions from ABAWD Work Rules

• A person under 18 years of age
• A person 65 years of age or older
• An adult in a SNAP household with a child under 14 years of age
• A person who is employed or self-employed and working at least 30 hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage times 30 (currently $217.50 per week)
• A person responsible for the care of an incapacitated person (the incapacitated person does NOT need to live in the household)
• A pregnant person
• A person who is physically or mentally unable to work at least 80 hours per month
• A regular participant in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program
• A recipient of disability benefits from a public or private source, such as NYS disability benefits 
• A person who is receiving or applying for Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB)
• A student enrolled in any recognized school, job skills training, or institution of higher education at least half-time and meeting the student eligibility criteria to receive SNAP
• An applicant for SNAP benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) jointly or in receipt of SSI

SNAP recipients identified as being non-exempt, do have to meet ABAWD work rules. ABAWD required individuals will receive an appointment letter, asking them to meet with the ABAWD unit staff at a scheduled date/time. The scheduled appointment gives an opportunity for the ABAWD work rules to be explained in greater detail. If the scheduled appointment is not kept, the ABAWD work rules must still be met. 

How to meet the ABAWD work rules

Each month, you must complete one of the work activities below, and document the activities on the appropriate form, and submit the forms to the district by the 10th of the month, following the month in which the activity was completed. Forms can be submitted several different ways. They can be sent by fax (607-873-1815), emailed to (TAclerical@chemungcountyny.gov), uploaded to NYDocsubmit, mailed to (P.O Box 588 Elmira NY 14902), dropped off in the white drop box at the entrance of (425 Pennsylvania Avenue), or by scanning the document in the reception area of that same address.

• Work;
• "In-Kind" work and volunteer work for at least 80 hours per month;
• Participate in a qualifying work/training program approved by the social services district for at least 80 hours per month;
• Comply with a Work Experience assignment for the number of hours per month equal to the SNAP grant divided by the State minimum wage;
• Participate in an employment and training program for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veteran Affairs for at least 80 hours per month;
• Participate in a program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) or Trade Act which may include supervised job search*, job readiness, occupational skills training and education activities for at least 80 hours per month; or 
• Participate in a combination of work, volunteer, or qualifying work programs for 80 hours per month