NEW YORK (PIX11) — New Yorkers who receive SNAP benefits will see work requirement changes in order to qualify very soon.
Due to federal court litigation regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which benefits roughly 240,000 New York City residents, the new work rules for able-bodies adults without dependents (ABAWD) will go into effect on March 1.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the changes to SNAP benefit requirements that could affect millions of New Yorkers:
What are the new SNAP work rules?
If you are an ABAWD (between the ages of 18 and 64, not living with a child under 14 and able to work), you can meet the rules by:
No, you may be exempt from the work rules if:
- You are younger than 18 or 65 and up
- You live with someone younger than 14 years old
- You receive disability benefits from a public or private source
- Ex: Veterans Affairs, New York State disability benefits
- You are pregnant
- You cannot work 80 hours per month due to mental or physical health reasons
- You are an Indian, Urban Indian, California Indian, or other Indian eligible for the Indian Health Services
- You’re excused from the general SNAP work rules because:
- You are 16 or 17 years old and not the head of the household or in school or in an employment program at least half-time
- You are unable to work due to mental or physical health reasons
- You care for a child younger than the age of 6
- You care for an incapacitated person
- You meet the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
- You receive or have applied for unemployment benefits
- You participate in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program
- You are enrolled in a school, training program or college at least half-time
- You work at least 30 hours per week
- You earn $217.50 or more per week
- You are an SSI applicant or recipient
What if you can’t follow the rules or lost your SNAP benefits?
If you have a good reason to not follow ABAWD work rules or you have lost your SNAP benefits and want to get them back, contact your local district to work with them on how to do so…