Date posted:
Attachment(s):
10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules; Section 999-2
SNAP Rule #234 – ABAWD Geographic Exemptions
Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations provide that certain able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) are subject to a maximum of three months of benefits over a 36-month period, unless they work 20 hours or more per week (averaged monthly) or participate in and comply with requirements of a work program. Individuals who reside in certain geographic areas can qualify for an exception to this time limit under 7 C.F.R. § 273.24(f).
The Department submitted a request to the U.S.D.A. – Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) to waive these work requirements for certain ABAWDs residing in geographic areas that have unemployment rates at or above 10% or have insufficient jobs for recipients residing in those areas. The geographic areas include 213 qualifying cities, towns, unorganized territories, townships, and reservations that qualify individually or as part of a federally defined labor market area. Pending U.S.D.A. – FNS approval and the adoption of this rule, ABAWDs residing in those areas will no longer have to meet the work requirements to receive SNAP effective retroactive to October 1, 2024.
Retroactive rulemaking is permissible under 22 M.R.S. § 42(8)(C) as this update provides a benefit to SNAP recipients who meet the ABAWD definition and does not adversely impact applicants, participants, beneficiaries, or providers.
TYPE OF RULE (check one): X Routine Technical ___ Major Substantive
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 22 M.R.S. § 42(1) and (8)(C); 7 C.F.R. § 273.24(f)
PUBLIC HEARING: No public hearing is scheduled.
COMMENT DEADLINE: Friday, October 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Written public comments may be submitted via the link at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/rulemaking.
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON:
Evan Denno, SNAP Program Manager
Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Family Independence
109 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04330-6841
Phone: (207) 624-8045/Fax: (207) 287-3455
TT Users Call Maine Relay – 711
Proposed
Office: Office for Family Independence
Routine technical
Email: Evan.Denno@maine.gov
Meeting location:
No public hearing is scheduled.
Comment deadline:
On