SNAP Rule #240A - ABAWD Update

Date posted:

Attachment(s):

10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules; Sections 111-5 and 111-7

SNAP Rule #240A - ABAWD Update

The adopted rule effectuates routine technical changes to 10-144 C.M.R. Ch. 301; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Program Rules to ensure compliance with H.R. 1-the Budget Reconciliation Act signed into law and effective on July 4, 2025.

Consistent with H.R. 1 the adopted rule updates Section 111-5 and Section 111-7. The adopted rule provides clarity for participants, applicants, and Department staff for Work Registration requirements and exemptions, and the related Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) criteria.

This rulemaking adopts continued non-substantive changes to improve the readability and inclusivity of the manual. In addition, the adopted rule removes Code of Federal Register (C.F.R.) citations in the headers of open sections as these citations are unnecessary and are identified within the sections as applicable. In addition, the adopted rule updates the open sections consistent with the terms “Food Supplement” and “Food Supplement Program” to “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” and by extension, their associated abbreviations to “SNAP” or other substitutable terms. The adopted changes are consistent with the terminology used in federal law and regulation as well as signage and other materials seen throughout the state and nation.

The changes below have been made to the adopted rule as a result of public comment, unless otherwise noted. The adopted rule is consistent in substance with the rule that was proposed.

  • Section 111-5, (1)(A) has been updated to “Within 30 days of any application and once every twelve months after being found eligible, each household member age 16 through 59 who is not exempt pursuant to subsections 1 through 9,”
  • Section 111-5, (1)(B) has been updated to “An individual is not required to participate in work registration but may voluntarily participate when the household member is:”
  • Section 111-7, (1)(A)(1) removed “and”
  • Section 111-7, (1)(A)(2) has been amended to “in a SNAP household with no members under the age of 14, and”
  • Section 111-7, (1)(A)(3) has been added as “not exempt according to the conditions detailed in Paragraph 4, below.”
  • Section 111-7(2)(A)(4) has been amended to “participating in and complying with the requirements of a workfare program or volunteer community service for a monthly maximum of the value of the household benefit divided by state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher. The total number of monthly required hours may be met by the ABAWD individually or collectively by members of the SNAP household. Hourly requirements of a workfare program or volunteer community service are determined by dividing the SNAP household benefit allotment by the state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher, rounded down to the nearest hour. Pursuant to Section 20(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act, no member will be required to work in any workfare or volunteer position to the extent that such work exceeds in value the allotment to which the household is otherwise entitled. In addition, no member may be required to work more than thirty hours per week when the required workfare of volunteer hours are combined with any other compensated work performed that week.” In addition, the Department determined it necessary to correct the accuracy of the rule by updating (2)(A)(4) as the “Food and Nutrition Act” has replaced the “Social Security Act”.
  • Section 111-7(5)(C) has been updated to “Hourly requirements of a workfare program or volunteer community service are determined by dividing the SNAP household benefit allotment by state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher rounded down to the nearest dollar. The total number of monthly required hours may be met by the ABAWD individually or collectively by members of the SNAP household.” (5)(C) has been updated further to state “In addition, no member may be required to work more than thirty hours per week when the required workfare or volunteer hours are combined with any other compensated work performed that week.” In addition, Section 111-7 (5)(C) has been updated to “As an example, if the SNAP household benefit is $150 per month, and the relevant minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, the hourly requirements would not exceed 10 hours per month.” As in 111-7(2)(A)(4), the Department determined it necessary to correct the accuracy of the rule by updating (5)(C) as the “Food and Nutrition Act” has replaced the “Social Security Act.”

The Department implemented some of these changes on an emergency basis on September 16, 2025, effective September 16, 2025, in Rule No. SNAP 240E. Because the emergency rule is effective for only 90 days, this rule making is necessary to make those changes permanent.

This rule will have an adverse impact on municipalities or small businesses.

Statutory Authority: 22 M.R.S. §§ 42(1) 3104

Effective Date: December 14, 2025

AGENCY CONTACT PERSON:

Evan Denno, SNAP Program Manager

Department of Health and Human Services

Office for Family Independence

109 Capitol Street

Augusta, ME 04330-6841

Phone: (207) 446-3201/Fax: (207) 287-3455

TT Users Call Maine Relay – 711

Evan.Denno@Maine.gov

Office: Office for Family Independence

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