Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 Allocations of the 15 Percent Exemptions for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs)

Subject: Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 Allocations of the 15 Percent Exemptions for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs)

To: All Regional Directors

Attached are the FY 2003 allocations of the 15 percent exemptions for ABAWDs. 7 CFR 273.24 authorizes the Food and Nutrition Service to adjust the number of 15 percent exemptions allocated to each State at the beginning of the fiscal year to reflect changes in the States’ caseloads and our estimate of changes in the proportion of food stamp recipients covered by waivers. The attached allocations reflect these adjustments.

State agencies have broad latitude to use exemptions as they see fit. They may assign them to individuals with special circumstances. Alternatively, States may choose to extend the participation of all ABAWDs. The three attachments contain the FY 2003 allotments for each State and examples of the allowable per case-month exemptions by State if no time limit is placed on the exemptions, if a 3-month time limit is placed on the exemptions, and if a 6-month time limit is placed on the exemptions.

These numbers do not take into consideration the carryover amount from the unused FY 2002 exemptions because final numbers for FY 2002 have not been reported yet. We will send you the FY 2003 adjusted allocations as soon as possible.

We urge you to continue to work with your State agencies and to encourage them to use the exemptions available to them. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Patricia Maggi of my staff at 703-305-2468.

Arthur T. Foley
Director
Program Development Division

Attachment
 

Last modified: 02/17/2009