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Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents

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Arizona received approval from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to suspend work requirements for all able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving Nutrition Assistance statewide. ABAWD requirements for all NA participants will be waived. This waiver is in effect until December 31, 2021. If you would like to receive employment assistance, you may participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNA E&T) program.

Who qualifies as an ABAWD?

  • Persons between the ages of 18 and 49;
  • Physically and/or mentally able to work;
  • Do not reside in a household with a dependent child under the age of 18;
  • Is not pregnant; and,
  • Not otherwise exempt from general work requirements

What are the work requirements?

  • Work 20 hours a week, averaged monthly;
  • Participate in community service or workforce activities for the equivalent of the household’s monthly SNAP benefit divided by the federal or state minimum wage (whichever is higher);
  • Participate in and comply with SNA E&T or the SNAP CAN program for 20 or more hours per week, averaged monthly; or,
  • Participate in 20 hours a week, averaged monthly, in a program authorized under the Workforce Opportunity Innovation Act or the Trade Adjustment Act

What are other exemptions from the work requirements?

  • Physically or mentally unfit for employment;
  • Participating in and complying with the Cash Assistance Jobs Program;
  • Caretaking for a child under the age of six;
  • Responsible for the care of an incapacitated individual;
  • Participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program;
  • Employed or self-employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week, or receiving weekly earnings which meet or exceed the state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher, when multiplied by 30 hours;
  • Applying for or receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits;
  • A student enrolled at least half time in any recognized school, including high school, training programs, or institutions of higher education, provided that the participation in these educational activities is not the result of participation in SNA E&T;
  • Eligible for and subject to the work requirement of the Refugee Resettlement Program; or,
  • Subject to mandatory participation in the Tribal TANF Native Employment Works Program

What workforce services are available to me?

SNAP recipients who do not also receive benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program are eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training Program (SNA E&T). SNA E&T assists participants in achieving their career goals by providing a broad range of workforce readiness services including reimbursements for eligible transportation, and other expenses related to participation.

ARIZONA @ WORK helps job seekers find, prepare for and keep the right job. Visit Arizonaatwork.com to access career training opportunities and locate a workforce center near you.

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