New Resources Help States Navigate SNAP Work Rules

Westat SNAP policy experts partnered with FNS to create the SNAP Work Rules Screening Checklists and Flow Chart to help states screen SNAP participants for exemptions from work requirements.

During the pandemic, many of SNAP’s work requirements were paused as states focused on ensuring over 40 million Americans with low-income had access to food benefits. With work requirements starting back up coupled with recent congressional changes to these requirements, FNS and Westat worked together to create a SNAP Work Rules Screening Checklist. The checklist helps state agency staff screen SNAP participants for exemptions from SNAP’s general and able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) work requirements while offering tips to provide excellent customer service. The checklist includes a screening flow chart to help visualize SNAP work requirements policy.

These resources are a part of ongoing efforts to provide technical assistance and policy support to FNS through the SNAP Policy Analysis and Support contract. Michael Ribar, MA; Miles Patrie, MPA; John Knaus; Andrea Garcia, PhD; and Elizabeth Weber are a part of the Westat team contributing to SNAP resources like these.