Able-Bodied Adult without Dependents

Effective July 1, 2022, the Statewide Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) Waiver expired.  On Friday, July 15, 2022, the federal public health emergency (PHE) was extended and ABAWD work requirement is suspended until the federal PHE ends. During the suspension period, ABAWDs will not lose their SNAP benefits for not meeting the ABAWD work requirement. ABAWDs may volunteer to participate in the SNAP Works Program to obtain employment.

If you have questions, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

ABAWD is an acronym for an Able-Bodied Adult without Dependents. 

ABAWDs are food stamp applicants or recipients who are:

  • Between 18-49 years of age;
  • Not pregnant;
  • Not residing in a household where a household member is under age 18;
  • Mentally and physically fit for employment

You may be exempt from the ABAWD time limit and work requirements if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You are under 18 or 50 years of age or older;
  • You are pregnant;
  • You are determined by the state agency to be medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment. An individual is medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment if he or she:
    • Is receiving temporary or permanent disability benefits issued by governmental or private sources;
    • Is obviously mentally or physically unfit for employment as determined by the State agency; or
    • Or if not obvious, provides a statement from a physician, physician's assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, designated representative of the physician's office, a licensed or certified psychologist, a social worker, or any other medical personnel who determines, that he or she is physically or mentally unfit for employment.
  • You are a parent of a household member under 18, even if the household member under 18 is not eligible for food stamp benefits.
  • You are residing in a food stamp household where a household member is under 18, even if the household member under 18 is not eligible for food stamp benefits.

How can an ABAWD meet the work requirements?
There are several qualifying activities an ABAWD can participate in to meet their work requirements:

  • Working (employment or self-employment) an average of 20 hours per week, 80 hours per month (work hours can include hours in lieu of pay, such as work in exchange for rent, etc.);
  • Participating in an allowable education or training activity for at least 20 hours per week, 80 hours per month;
  • Participating in and complying with a workfare program, such as Comparable Workfare;
  • Participating in a work investment and opportunity act (WIOA) training program;
  • Any combination of working and participating in a work program for a total of 20 hours per week.

What is Comparable Workfare?
Comparable workfare is one way an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) can meet the special ABAWD work requirements.  

Georgia’s Comparable Workfare Program is an unsalaried placement at a well-supervised work site with a public or private non-profit provider. All state, federal, county, and city government agencies are potential workfare sponsors.  Comparable workfare provides participants with opportunities to develop basic work habits, practice skills, and demonstrate the ability to learn new skills to a prospective employer. 

ABAWDs may self-initiate a Comparable Workfare activity under the following criteria:
Comparable Workfare may also occur at a community service program sites that are serving a useful community purpose in the field of health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural development, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety or child care.

Download this pdf file. Comparable Workfare: A Guide for ABAWDs

Download this pdf file. Comparable Workfare: A Guide for ABAWDs - Spanish

Download this pdf file. Comparable Workfare Activity Form 805

Download this pdf file. Comparable Workfare Activity Form 805 - Spanish

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