11/02/2023
Summary
- Due to continued high unemployment rates in Illinois, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has granted another waiver extension which allows Illinois to continue to waive the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy in all counties through 10/31/2024.
- MR #23.14 Entire State Continues to be Exempt from SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limit through October 2023, published on 03/08/2023, provides further details about the SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy.
- Although the Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) time limited clock is not in effect due to Illinois' high unemployment rate, the current 3-year fixed period began January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2023. The next 3 year fixed period begins 01/01/2024 and ends 12/31/2026. (WAG 25-06-07-p)
- Illinois SNAP customers must still comply with the Work Provisions found in PM 03-15-00 unless they are exempt. Exemptions for Work Provisions may be found in PM 03-15-02.
This manual release informs Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) of Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approval to continue to waive the SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy in all counties effective 07/01/2023 through 10/31/2023 due to Illinois' high unemployment rate. Another extension has been granted to extend this waiver from 11/01/2023 to 10/31/2024.
SNAP Work Requirement 3 - Month Time-Limit Extended Until 10/31/2024
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has granted another waiver extension allowing Illinois to continue to waive the SNAP Work Requirement 3-month Time-Limit policy found in PM 03-25-00. The current waiver extension allows Illinois to waive the Work Requirement Time Limited Benefits policy through 10/31/2023. Due to Illinois' high unemployment rate, the current waiver in place has been extended through 10/31/2024. Further details and guidance can be found in MR #23.14 Entire State Continues to be Exempt from SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limit through October 2023, published on 03/08/2023.
ABAWD Time Limit Clock
The 36-month clock starts when a nonexempt individual is issued their first regular month of SNAP benefits.
- Although the ABAWD time limited clock is not in effect due to Illinois' high unemployment rate, the current 3-year fixed period began January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2023.
- The next 3-year fixed period begins 01/01/2024 and ends 12/31/2026. (WAG 25-06-07-p)
Work Provisions
Although the SNAP Work Requirement Time Limited Policy waiver extension has been extended through October 31, 2024, the SNAP Work Provisions found in PM 03-15-01 are still in place. Customers applying for SNAP benefits must still comply with the Work Provisions unless they are exempt (PM 03-15-02).
Manual Revisions:
[signed copy on file]
Dulce M. Quintero
Secretary-Designate, Illinois Department of Human Services
Forms referenced:
