PM 03-25-02-a: ABAWD Time Limit Clock

WAG 03-25-02-a

Effective 07/01/2022, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) waiver approval allows the entire State to continue to be exempt from the SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy in this section through revised text10/31/2025 based on Illinois' high unemployment rate.

The SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limited benefits policy below is NOT in effect for any county in the State through revised text10/31/2025.

ABAWD Time-Limit Clock

The SNAP Work Requirement applies to all initial applications, REDEs and active cases of customers residing in nonwaived counties of the State including cases of customers residing in nonwaived counties but their Office of Choice is in a waived county. The 36-month period is a 3-year fixed period that begins 01/01/2024 and ends 12/31/2026 for individuals who are:

  • eligible for SNAP; and
  • determined to be an ABAWD (PM 03-25-01); and
  • are not meeting the Work Requirement.

The 36-month clock starts when a nonexempt individual is issued their first regular month of SNAP benefits.  A SNAP application prorated benefit month does not count towards the 3 months. The 3 benefit months do not have to be consecutive. The 36-month clock does not tick if proof of an exemption is submitted. The new 3-year fixed time period begins 01/01/2024 and ends 12/31/2026.