MR #24.27 Change in Age Requirement for SNAP Work Requirement Limits

Illinois Department of Human Services logo

11/08/2024

Summary

  • This manual release provides an update to the Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) with policy changes made as a result of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA), signed into law on 06/03/2023, that affects able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving food (SNAP/State Food) assistance benefits.
  • Effective 10/01/2024, the age range for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) will now increase to 18 through 54 years old. Initial applications and Redeterminations will be updated to reflect the change in age requirement for the SNAP Work Requirements.
  • All Illinois counties continue to be exempt from implementing the SNAP Work Requirement policy through 10/31/2025. MR #23.35: Change in Age Requirement and New Modified Exceptions (Exemptions) from SNAP Work Requirement Time Limits, published on 12/18/2023 provides further clarification on the changes to the age requirement.
  • MR# 24.23 Entire State Continues to be Exempt for SNAP Work Requirement Time Limit Through October 2025, published on 10/09/2024 provides further information on the SNAP Work Requirement time waiver extension through October 2025. See PM 03-25-00
  • The Integrated Eligibility System (IES) has been updated to accommodate the change to the age requirements.
  • Updates are being made to the IL444-5175 SNAP Work Rules.

This manual release provides an update to the Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) with policy changes made as a result of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA), signed into law on 06/03/2023, that affects able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving food assistance (SNAP/State Food) benefits.

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA)

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA), signed into law on 06/03/2023, for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) makes changes to the SNAP Work Requirement policy, by gradually increasing the age range for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), creating new exemptions and reducing the number of discretionary exemptions States are allowed to use.

Update to the Age Requirement SNAP Work Requirement

Previous and Current Age Requirements for the SNAP Work Requirement Limits:

Date of

Implementation

SNAP Work Requirement

Age Requirement

10/01/2023-

09/30/2024

 Ages 18-52
Effective 10/01/2024- Ages 18-54
  • Effective 10/01/2024, a person turning 55 years old becomes exempt from the Work Requirement in the month of their birthday. See PM 03-25-06.
  • The changes related to age requirements and exemptions are temporary through 09/30/2030.

Out State Foster Care

  • Individuals who were in foster care at the age of 18 in another state cannot be coded correctly in IES until additional implementation is made in IES.
  • Since the state continues to be under a waiver through 10/31/2025, workers should make a case comment that the correct exemption could not be indicated at this time.
  • When the waiver ends, the individual will be shown as nonexempt and sent notification of the Work Requirements time-limited benefits explaining what the exemptions are and what to do if they have an exemption.
  • Collateral contact from other social service workers or agencies, such as the agency administering the foster care program or Medicaid may be used as a source of verification or any documents the individual may have of being in foster care.

Correspondence and System Update

Updates to IL444-5175 are currently being made to reflect the change to the age requirement. IES changes have been made.


Manual Revisions

PM 03-25-00

PM 03-25-01

PM 03-25-06

WAG 03-25-01


[signed copy on file]

Dulce M. Quintero

Secretary Designate, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms reference:

IL444-5175