MR #22.11: Entire State Continues to be Exempt from SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limit through June 30, 2023

Illinois Department of Human Services logo

05/05/2022

Summary

  • This manual release provides for another extension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy previously published in MR #21.17: Entire State Continues to be Exempt from the SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limit, dated 07/13/2021.
  • Due to Illinois' high unemployment rate, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has granted another waiver extension effective 07/01/2022 that allows Illinois to continue to waive the SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy in all counties through 06/30/2023.
  • Work Requirement and Work Provisions are two separate work rules for nonexempt SNAP recipients. Even though the State is exempt from implementing the Work Requirement, SNAP recipients who do not meet an exemption in PM 03-15-02 must still comply with the Work Provision requirements in PM 03-15-01 and WAG 03-15-01.

SNAP Work Requirement 3 - Month Time-Limit

  • Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has granted Illinois another waiver extension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy. The entire State is currently under a waiver extension through 06/30/2022. Due to Illinois' high unemployment rate, the entire State will continue to be exempt July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
  • The SNAP Work Requirement limits able-bodied adults aged 18 to 49 who are without dependents, and do not have a work exemption, to 3-months of SNAP benefits in a 3-year fixed period if they are not working or engaged in a work activity for the required number of hours each month. The 3-year fixed period for the State began 01/01/2021 and ends 12/31/2023. A new 3-year fixed period will begin 01/01/2024 and end 12/31/2026.
  • The Human Services Caseworkers (HSC) should continue to answer the SNAP Time Limited questions and complete the applicable entries for all nonexempt individuals on the SNAP case in IES. Only individuals who are age 18 through 49 and do not meet an exemption in PM 03-15-02 and PM 03-25-01 are considered abled-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). 
  • The use of Form 3674, SNAP Work Requirement Fact Sheet, was applicable to Cook County and DuPage County when the Work Requirement policy was in effect. Form 3674 should NOT be issued to customers in any county until further notice.

Work Provisions

  • Work Requirement and Work Provisions are two separate work rules for nonexempt SNAP recipients. Even though the State is exempt from implementing the Work Requirement, each SNAP household member not exempt for one of the reasons in PM 03-15-02  must still comply with the Work Provisions (formerly known as work registration) in PM 03-15-01 and WAG 03-15-01, such as register for work and not voluntarily and without good cause quit a job or reduce hours. An ABAWD must also comply with Work Provisions regardless of the waiver for Work Requirements.
  • A failure to comply with any of the requirements without good cause results in a work sanction (PM 03-15-07).
  • The HSC must give each member of the SNAP household who does not meet one of the Work Provision exemptions, SNAP Work Registration Notice (Form 2646), at initial application, redetermination (REDE) and whenever an exempt person becomes nonexempt. Explain the reason why the form is being given to the individual (PM 03-15-01)., Upload a copy of Form 2646 to the Electronic Case Record (ECR) and document in Case Comments which SNAP household member was given Form 2646 and the method of how it was given.
  • Complete the IES screens to indicate that the individual is nonexempt from Work Provisions. The HSC should review the Eligibility Summary Screen to determine if the appropriate exemption has been given. For SNAP eligibility purposes, giving each nonexempt member Form 2646 and completing the IES screens to indicate that individual is nonexempt from Work Provisions serves as registering the individual for work. Do not refer the individual to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) to register for work.

Manual Revisions:

PM 03-25-00

PM 03-25-01

PM 03-25-02

PM 03-25-02-a

PM 03-25-03

PM 03-25-03-a

PM 03-25-04

PM 03-25-05

PM 03-25-05-a

PM 03-25-05-b

PM 03-25-06

PM 19-03-06-b

PM 19-07-00

PM 19-07-01

PM 19-07-03

WAG 03-25-00

WAG 03-25-01

WAG 03-25-02

WAG 03-25-02-a

WAG 03-25-03

WAG 03-25-05

WAG 03-25-06

WAG 19-03-06-b

WAG 19-07-01

WAG 19-07-02

WAG 25-06-07-p

[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms referenced:

Form 2646

Form 3674