Extended Three Month Benefit Period 430-05-40-50-27

(Revised 10/01/14 ML 3410)

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IM 5383

 

 

Once an ABAWD has received the three ABAWD months and has had a break in receipt of SNAP, including a participation code of ‘DI’, extended benefits may be granted for three full consecutive months if the individual has not voluntarily quit a job without good cause within 30 days prior to the date of initial application and meets one of the following:

  1. Worked 80 hours or more in any 30 consecutive day period.

Work can include volunteer or in-kind work.

Volunteer work is when arrangements have been made with a school, hospital, public service agency, library, nursing home, church or other community organizations.

In-kind work is when an individual works in exchange for goods or services.

Example:

An individual managing an apartment building in exchange for free or reduced rent.

This does not include court ordered community services or work done for family members or friends when the individual is not paid.

 

  1. Participated in and complied with the requirements of a work program for 80 hours or more in any 30 consecutive day period. Work program means:
  1. A program under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), this is administered by Job Services and can be verified by contacting that office. This includes the WIA administered by the Tribes as long as it meets the 20 hour or more per week averaged monthly requirement. (JT)
  2. A program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Adjustment Assistance Act Program). This is administered by Job Services and can be verified by contacting that office. (TA)

The BEST Program does not meet the definition of either of these programs.

 

  1. Any combination of paid, volunteer, in-kind work, or work programs for 80 hours or more in any 30 day consecutive period.

A 30-day period means any 30 consecutive days since the individual was closed or denied for failure to comply with the ABAWD requirements or failed to file a review. It does not have to be a calendar month - it may be a combination of two months.

To receive the extended months, the worker must enter the code of EE (exemption extension) on the ABRE screen in TECS.

The extended three month benefit period can only be approved once in a 36-month period. The three months run consecutively. Once approved, the individual has received the extension regardless of whether they receive benefits for all three months. Case closings, disqualifications or zero benefits will not stop the three month count.

Examples:

  1. An individual received the three ABAWD months in April, May and June and the case closed June 30 for failure to comply with the ABAWD work requirements. On August 16, the individual reapplies and verifies having worked 80 hours in a consecutive 30 days and lost the employment through no fault of their own. This individual is eligible for the extended three-month benefit period, September, October, and November. August does not count as one of the three months due to proration.
  2. An individual received the three ABAWD months in April, May and June and closed June 30 for failure to comply with the ABAWD work requirements. On August 16, the individual reapplies and verifies having worked 80 hours in 30 days and lost the employment through no fault of their own. This individual is eligible for the extended three-month benefit period, September, October, and November.

On September 10 the individual reports new employment and income that exceeds the GIL, they expect the income to continue and their case closed September 30 for excess income. Even though the individual is no longer receiving benefits, the extended three month benefit period continues through the month of November. This individual would not be eligible for an additional extended ABAWD three-month benefit period during this individual's 36-month period.

  1. A single individual who is not exempt from the ABAWD requirements applies and is certified for six months. The case is closed for non-compliance with ABAWD requirements at the end of the third NE month. The individual reapplies after starting a job working an average of 20 hours per week and regaining eligibility (meeting the 80 hours of work in a 30 day period). Sometime later during the review period, the individual is laid off by the employer. This individual can receive the three EE months before case closure.