MR #23.14 Entire State Continues to be Exempt from SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limit through October 2023

Illinois Department of Human Services Logo

03/08/2023

Summary

Due to the high unemployment rate in Illinois, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has granted a 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 10/31/2023.
MR #22.11: Entire State Continues to be Exempt from SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limit through June 30, 2023, published on 05/05/2022, provides further details about the SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy.
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)
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.

SNAP Work Requirement 3 - Month Time-Limit Extended Until 10/31/2023

The USDA Food and Nutrition Services (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 through 06/30/2023. Due to Illinois high unemployment rate, the current waiver in place has been extended through 10/2023. Further details and guidance can be found in MR #22.11: Entire State Continues to be Exempt from SNAP Work Requirement Time-Limit through June 30, 2023, published on 05/05/2022.

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, 2023, 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]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services