Abled Bodied Adults Without Dependents ABAWD and Work

Abled Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) and Work Requirements: Created by: Robert Cox, Presented by: Deborah M. Brown & Tracie Crumel Operational Support Team 2016 Food and Nutrition Services Employment and Training Convening August 22 -24, 2016

ABAWD and Work Requirements Work Require ABA ments WD 2

Work Requirements Who do Work Requirements apply to? • Work Requirements apply to all eligible FNS unit members that are between the ages of 16 through 59 unless they meet a Work Requirements exemption. 3

Work Requirements What are Work Requirements? • Registered for Work. • Participate in Employment &Training program if assigned. • Do not voluntarily quit a job. • Do not voluntarily reduce hours. • Must comply with Unemployment Benefits requirements. • Must comply with WFFA Employment Services 4

Work Requirements When does Work Requirements registration occur? 1. Appropriate Work Registration evidence entered into NC FAST. AND 2. The DSS-8640, Work Registration Responsibilities form is completed in NC FAST and the original is provided to the FNS unit. 5

Work Requirements Who is exempt from Work Requirements? • Age • Individuals age 60 or older. • Individuals younger than 16. • Age 16 or 17 and not the Head of Household. • Age 16 or 17 Head of Household in school at least halftime or in an employment or training program. • Parent / Caretaker • Individuals that have applied for or are receiving Unemployment Benefits • Physically or Mentally unfit for Employment • Disabled Specified Person 6

Work Requirements Who is exempt from Work Requirements? • Employed • Self-Employed • Narcotics Addict or Alcoholic • Student • Caretaker of Incapacitated Person • Jointly processed SSI household • Refugee Household • Work First Family Assistance applicant or participant 7

Work Requirements Review • Work Requirements apply to all eligible individuals regardless of ABAWD status. • Enter the correct Work Requirement evidence. • Notify the client using the DSS-8640 • Do not register individuals that do not meet the Work Requirement criteria or individuals that are exempt. 8

ABAWD What is an Able-bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD)? • An ABAWD is an Able-Bodied Adult between ages 18 and 49, and • Without child/ren in the FNS unit, and • Does not meet one of the ABAWD exemptions. 9

ABAWD Who is exempt from ABAWD requirements? • Under 18 or 50 years of age or over: • Members of an FNS unit containing a member who is under age 18: • Pregnant • Exempt from FNS work requirements described in manual section 240. 10

ABAWD Who is exempt from ABAWD requirements? • Unfit for employment (even if temporarily) for one of the following reasons: • Receiving public or private disability benefits such as: • Obviously unfit for work based on worker’s observation or judgment. If the medical condition is obvious, document in NC FAST. • Medically-certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment. • Unfit for employment due to chronic homeless. • Unfit for employment due alcohol or drug dependence addiction. 11

ABAWD What do the ABAWD requirements mean to the FNS unit? • ABAWDs are limited to receiving 3 Countable (free) months in a 36 -month period. • There is no limit on the number of non-countable months an ABAWD may receive. • After using the 3 free months some individuals may qualify for an additional 3 bonus months. 12

ABAWD What are Countable (Free) Months? • Non-prorated month of FNS benefits • Individual does not meet an exemption from ABAWD requirements 13

ABAWD What are Non-Countable Months? • Prorated months • Any month in which the individual meets at least one of the following ABAWD Work Requirements: • Working an average of 20 hours per week (80 hours in a month) • Participating in and complying with the requirements of a work program for an average of 20 hours per week (80 hours in a month) 14

ABAWD What is considered work? • Paid employment, regardless of earnings. • Self-employment, regardless of earnings. • Volunteer work for a public or private organization. • Work in exchange for goods or services. • Any combination of the above. 15

ABAWD What is considered a work program? • A program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); • A program under Trade Adjustment Assistance Act Program (TAA); • A program that includes qualifying ABAWD activities so long as job search and/or job search training is less than half hours required by of the program (See chart below). 16

ABAWD What happens after an ABAWD uses the 3 countable (free) months? • The ABAWD becomes ineligible to participate in the FNS program the month after the last countable month is received during the 36 month period. • Single ABAWD FNS units • Case will terminate. • FNS units with other eligible members • The ineligible ABAWD will be excluded from the FNS benefits. • The ABAWD is still considered a member of the FNS unit for other policy considerations. • The ABAWD must become exempt or regain eligibility to be eligible to participate in the FNS program. 17

ABAWD How can an ABAWD regain eligibility? ABAWDs can regain eligibility to participate in FNS if s/he: 1. Worked (paid and unpaid) 80 hours or more in a 30 day period; or 2. Participated in and complied with the requirements of a work program for 80 or more hours in a 30 day period; or 3. Worked and participated for any combination of hours in a work program for a total of 80 hours or participated in and complied with a workfare program in a 30 day period; 4. Becomes exempt from ABAWD FNS work requirements; or 5. The 36 month (3 -year) period expires. 18

ABAWD What are Bonus Months? ABAWDs who have regained eligibility and are not meeting the FNS work requirements can gain an additional 3 consecutive months once during the 3 year period of eligibility. These months are known as Bonus months. • Bonus Month requirements: • Apply only to ABAWDs who regained eligibility but are no longer fulfilling the FNS work requirement. • Must be consecutive months. • Only full months of benefits count toward the Bonus Months. 19

ABAWD What are the caseworker’s responsibilities? The worker must: • Explain all ABAWD requirements to the household including: • Which individuals are currently subject to the ABAWD requirements; • Which individuals are potential ABAWDs even if the individual is exempt at the time of application; • The 36 -month period fixed time clock; • The ABAWD’s 3 countable months; • ABAWD exemptions; • ABAWD non-countable months; and • Explain to the household that regardless of simplified reporting, the failure to report a change in ABAWD status during the certification period (ex. becoming exempt, starting work) while the clock is running will result in the termination of benefits for the ABAWD. • Provide the household with the DSS-8568 ABAWD Requirements form. 20

ABAWD Reapplication / Recertification / Change The worker must: • Explore all previously countable ABAWD months to determine if the ABAWD met an exemption in one of the previous months. • Ask whether the applicant has completed the ABAWD work requirements within 30 consecutive days or more at any time since losing FNS eligibility, even if the applicant is not currently meeting the ABAWD work requirements. • Recode any previous months as exempt or nonexempt, as applicable. 21

Work Flow Typical Work Registration / ABAWD Work Flow 1. Is the individual otherwise eligible? No, Deny. Yes, Go to 2. 2. Is the individual subject to Work Requirements? No, approve case. Yes, Go to 3. 3. Is the individual subject to ABAWD requirements? No, approve case. Yes, Go to 4. 4. Has the individual already received all 3 free months? No, approve case. Yes, Deny case. 22

Questions? Contact: deborah. m. brown@dhhs. nc. gov tracie. crumel @dhhs. nc. gov 23 23