ABAWD Continued Eligibility
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This policy explains how an Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents(g) who has received three countable months of NA benefits may be potentially eligible for NA benefits.
Policy
An Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) who has received three countable months of NA benefits may be potentially eligible for additional months of NA benefits when any of the following apply:
●The ABAWD participant regains eligibility.
●The ABAWD participant qualifies for a three-month extension.
●When a new ABAWD three-year period starts.
Regaining Eligibility
When a participant is disqualified because of the ABAWD three-month time limit, the participant may regain NA eligibility. To regain eligibility, the participant needs to meet any of the following:
●An ABAWD exemption or work requirement. (See ABAWD Exemptions for a complete list of acceptable exemptions from the ABAWD time limit.)
●Enters a new three-year period. (See ABAWD Time Limits for the current three-year period.)
The work requirement for regaining eligibility requires a minimum of 80 hours during a 30 consecutive day period with one or more of the following:
●Unpaid volunteer work
●Paid work
●Participation in a work program
NOTE The 30 consecutive days can begin and end before or after the application date.
Work or participation in a work program needs to be verified before eligibility can be determined. (See ABAWD Work Requirements for complete details about the ABAWD work requirements.)
A participant who has received three countable months of NA benefits can reapply for benefits at any time. There is no limit to the number of times an ABAWD participant can regain eligibility.
When NA benefits have closed, benefits may be reopened without a new application when all of the following requirements are met:
●FAA receives verification of an ABAWD exemption or work requirements before the effective date of closure.
●All requested verification is provided.
●There is at least one full month remaining in the approval period. When the approval period has expired, a new application is needed.
NOTE A new application is required when FAA receives verification after the effective date of closure. (See Required Verification is Received After the Effective Date of Closure for more information about when to effect changes.)
A disqualified ABAWD member of a budgetary unit receiving NA benefits can regain potential eligibility when a change is reported and all of the following requirements are met:
●Verification for an ABAWD exemption or a work requirement is provided.
●All outstanding verification is provided.
●All eligibility requirements are met.
ABAWD Extension Period
A participant disqualified due to the ABAWD time limit may be eligible for additional three full months of NA benefits. A participant is only eligible for the three-month extension when they have regained eligibility by meeting an ABAWD work requirement and then loses the employment or work program participation.
NOTE When an ABAWD participant voluntarily quits a job of 20 or more hours per week or voluntarily stops meeting an ABAWD work requirement, the participant is subject to the ABAWD three-month time limit. The participant is disqualified from receiving NA benefits when the participant receives three months of benefits. (See Regaining Eligibility for information about how an ABAWD participant can receive more than three months of NA benefits.)
An ABAWD participant may be potentially eligible for a three-month extension when all of the following requirements are met:
●Determined to be NA ineligible due to the ABAWD time limit of receiving three countable months of NA in the current three-year period.
●Met an ABAWD work requirement during any 30 consecutive calendar days(g) and is no longer meeting that ABAWD work requirement.
●Has not received an ABAWD extension period in the current three-year period.
The three-month extension is allowed once during an ABAWD three-year period. The extension period is three consecutive full months of NA benefits. The first month of eligibility is the first month NA eligibility is reestablished after the loss of employment or training.
When a participant meets all the requirements for a three-month ABAWD extension, FAA completes an eligibility determination. For eligibility to be determined, the participant needs to take the appropriate action in all the following situations:
●When NA benefits have stopped, the participant needs to complete all of the following:
Submit a new application.
Complete the interview.
Provide all requested verification.
NOTE When the NA benefits in the application month are prorated, the month does not count toward the three-month ABAWD extension.
●When the case is open, and the budgetary unit includes other members currently receiving NA benefits, the participant needs to complete all of the following:
Report a change to add the disqualified participant to the NA benefits.
Provide all requested verification.
●When a participant reports a loss of employment or a loss of a training program while receiving NA benefits, the participant must provide all requested information or verification.
NOTE See Simplified Reporting for more information about ABAWD reporting requirements.
When the three-month extension approval period ends before the participant's or budgetary unit's third full benefit month, a new application would need to be turned in for the remaining months of the extension.
Verification
The participant has the primary responsibility for providing verification. (See Participant Responsibilities – Providing Verification for additional policy.)
For verification of exemption reasons, see ABAWD Exemptions.
Examples
1) John is a budgetary unit of one participant and his NA benefits were closed for the ABAWD time limit. John received an NA ABAWD Closure (X636) notice with an effective closure date of 01/31/2026.
John called FAA on 01/23/2026, reporting that he is recovering from major surgery. John was able to upload his doctor’s statement during the call with help from the FAA staff. John meets the ABAWD exemption for unfit for work.
NA benefits are reopened for February 2026. John is entitled to a full month of NA benefits, as he provided verification to FAA before the effective date of case closure and has one full month remaining in his approval period.
2) Betty is a budgetary unit of one participant, and NA benefits closed for the ABAWD time limit. Betty received an NA ABAWD Closure (X636) notice with an effective closure date of 03/31/2026.
Betty reapplied and interviewed for NA benefits on 04/15/2026. Betty provided proof from her new employer that she works 20 hours per week and is expected to continue working, paid $15.15 per hour, and paid weekly on Fridays.
Betty regains NA eligibility as long as she continues to meet an ABAWD work requirement.
3) Jim was receiving NA benefits with his spouse, Barbara. Jim is currently not meeting an ABAWD exemption or a work requirement. Barbara is receiving SSI. Jim has received an ABAWD Benefit Change (X638) notice. Jim has received three countable months of NA benefits, effective 01/31/2026. Jim is disqualified from NA benefits effective 02/01/2026.
Jim contacted FAA on 01/07/2026 and indicated that Barbara had become incapacitated, and he is responsible for her care. FAA sent Jim an Information Needed – NA (F011) notice with a due date of 01/19/2026. Jim provides a doctor’s statement on 01/13/2026 verifying he is responsible for Barbara’s care. Jim is added back into the NA benefits beginning on 02/01/2026.
4) Sue is a member of a budgetary unit of four NA participants. Sue was not meeting an ABAWD exemption or a work requirement. Sue has received three countable months of NA benefits, effective 01/31/2026. Sue received the ABAWD Benefit Change (X638) notice. Sue is disqualified from NA benefits effective 02/01/2026.
Sue contacts FAA on 01/07/2026 and explains she is currently pregnant.
FAA staff explained to Sue that verification of her pregnancy would need to be provided to FAA on or before 01/31/2026 to avoid needing to reapply for benefits. After finishing her conversation with the FAA staff, Sue logged into her HEAplus account and uploaded her doctor's statement for her pregnancy.
Sue is added back into the NA benefits starting on 02/01/2026.
Legal Authorities
7 CFR 273.24(b)(1)
7 CFR 273.24(b)(2)
7 CFR 273.24(b)(3)
7 CFR 273.24(c)
7 CFR 273.24(g)
FNS Waiver
last revised 04/20/2026