Beginning October 1, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will implement federal work requirements and time limits for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, except in 33 parishes granted a federal waiver from the time limit rule.
In June, the federal government passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act, making changes to SNAP for recipients classified as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs).
Beginning October 1, 2023, individuals aged 18 to 52 in that category are limited to three months of SNAP benefits within a 36-month period unless they meet the federal work requirement or receive an exemption. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) oversees this rule, known as the SNAP Time Limit.
The Fiscal Responsibility Act also created new exemptions from the work requirement for individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, and young adults aged 18 to 24 who were in foster care on their eighteenth birthday.
FNS approved Louisiana’s request to grant 33 Louisiana parishes a waiver from the time-limit rule due to high unemployment rates or insufficient number of jobs for their population.
Local parishes that are exempt include Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Washington.
