On June 3, 2023, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) was signed into law. This new law creates some changes within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) policy.

The current SNAP ABAWD policy can be found at the following links. Please note that the changes brought through the FRA law have not yet been incorporated into our policy due to the rulemaking process.

• 100. Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements and time limits (oklahoma.gov)
• 101. Exemption to Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Requirements (oklahoma.gov). 

Usually, those who are considered ABAWD are only eligible for SNAP benefits for a short period of time and must meet work requirements. FRA gradually increases the age of those who are subject to the ABAWD time limits and adds new ABAWD exemptions for people who are experiencing homelessness, veterans, or people who aged out of foster care. These are temporary changes until October 1, 2030.   

ABAWD age exemption

Currently, people who are younger than 18 or 50 and older are not subject to the ABAWD work requirements or time limits. FRA increases the upper age limit for this exemption. The act gradually increases the age as follows:

• From Sept. 1, 2023, until Sept. 30, 2023, the age of those subject to ABAWD increases to age 50. A person must be 51 or older to qualify for the ABAWD age exemption during this time.
• Effective Oct. 1, 2023, the age of those subject to ABAWD increases to age 52. A person must be 53 or older to qualify for the ABAWD age exemption.
• Effective Oct. 1, 2024, the age of those subject to ABAWD increases to age 54. A person must be 55 or older to qualify for the ABAWD age exemption.

New ABAWD exemptions

• FRA adds three new ABAWD exemptions for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, veterans, or people who aged out of foster care.