An Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) is a person who is:

• 18 up to their 50^th birthday, and
• is not disabled, and
• is not living with a dependent child under the age of 18.

An ABAWD is allowed to receive SNAP benefits for only 3 months during a 36-month period. This is called the ABAWD time limit. The ABAWD time limit does not apply if the ABAWD:

• meets the ABAWD work requirement s, or
• is exempt from the ABAWD time limit (described below).

An ABAWD can meet the ABAWD work requirements by:

• Working at least 80 hours a month; or
• Participating in a work program at least 80 hours a month; or
• Working and participating in a work program for a combination of at least 80 hours a month

An ABAWD is exempt from the ABAWD time limit and the ABAWD work requirements if he or she is:

• Under 18 years old; or
• Age 50 or older; or
• Living in a SNAP household with a child under 18 years old; or
• Physically or mentally unfit for employment; or
• Pregnant; or

• Exempt from general SNAP work requirements. This includes people who are: physically or mentally disabled; complying with the work requirements of another program; already working more than 30 hours a week; participating in a drug or alcoholic rehab program; applying for or receiving unemployment compensation benefits or enrolled as a student at least half time; or
  
  
• Living in an exempt town (certain Connecticut towns that have high unemployment rates)

As of April 1^st, 2020, CT currently does not have any exempt cities or towns.

If you would like information about Connecticut’s SNAP Employment and Training program, please click here

If you need help finding a job, call or go to your local American Job Center or your local community action agency.  American Job Center locations are available at https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ajc/FactSheets.htm.