ABAWD Time Limit Return Example Letter for States

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Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)

Update to Cities/Towns not Subject to Time Limit

This letter is to tell you that that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Time Limit Rules

for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) living in certain cities and towns will be

changing on July 1, 2024. This letter tells you what the rules are, who they apply to, and what you

may need to do.

What do you need to know?

If you are an ABAWD subject to the time limits, you can only get SNAP benefits for 3 months in a 3-

year period.

ABAWDs living in certain cities or towns do not have time-limited SNAP benefits. Previously, there

were 23 cities and towns in Rhode Island that were not subject to the time limits. Beginning on July

1, 2024, only the following cities and towns. will not be subject to the time limits:

• Central Falls

• Charlestown

• New Shoreham (Block Island)

• Providence

• Woonsocket.

You will receive another notice letting you know if you or someone in your household has a time limit or

an exemption based on the information we have on file.

What do you need to do?

If you do not live in one of these cities/towns and your SNAP benefits are time-limited, you will need to spend

at least 80 hours each month (approximately 20 hours/week) doing one or a combination of the following

activities:

• Working,

• Participating in a job training or work program, or

•

Volunteering.

If DHS does not have a record of you doing one of these things, please let us know if your situation

has changed by calling 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347) or submitting documentation (see below

for ways to submit documentation).

If you are working the required hours and your work hours drop below 80 hours a month, you will need to

tell us within 10 days.

You can do so by:

1. Calling us at 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347)

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2. Submitting documentation such as paystubs or an employer letter through the following methods:

• Mail copies of your documents to:

o STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

P.O. BOX 8709

CRANSTON, RI 02920-8787

• Upload documents on the HealthyRhode Mobile App, which you can download in the App Store©

or on Google Play©

• Log into your account at www.healthyrhode.ri.gov, clicking on “Report Changes” and uploading

any required documents. To learn how to set up an account, visit:

https://dhs.ri.gov/resources/tech-resources

• Drop off copies of your documents at any DHS regional office drop box. For a list of office

locations, visit dhs.ri.gov/about-us/dhs-offices. You may also visit the document scanning center

at the Providence Regional Offices at 1 Reservoir Avenue, Providence or 125 Holden Street,

Providence or at the Pawtucket Regional Office at 249 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket.

Does everyone need to meet these Time Limit Rules?

You may not have to follow any of these Time Limit Rules and may have an exemption if you are:

• Younger than age 18, or age 53 or older,

• Living with someone in your house who is younger than age 18,

• Not working because of a physical or mental health reason,

• Pregnant,

• Taking care of a child younger than age 6 or someone who needs helps caring for themselves,

• Already working at least 20 hours a week,

• Receiving unemployment benefits, or you applied for unemployment benefits,

• Going to school, college, or training program at least half time,

• Meeting the work rules for the Rhode Island Works

(RIW) program,

• Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,

• Homeless

• Veteran (honorably or dishonorably discharged)

• Individual aging out of RI foster care system at age 18 up to age 24

• Living in one of the following 5 cities or towns that currently do not have a time limit (through June

30, 2025):

o Central Falls

o Charlestown

o New Shoreham

o Providence

o Woonsocket

What should you do if you think one of these reasons applies to you?

Call us at 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347) as soon as possible or submit documentation relating

to your situation if you think one of these might describe you (See What do you need to do? Section

Visit www.dhs.ri.gov for more information.

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for ways to submit documentation). If we find that it does, you will not need to follow these Time

Limit Rules.

Note: if DHS has an up-to-date address for you, you do not need to tell us if you are living in one of

the above cities or towns.

What happens if you do not follow these Time Limit Rules?

We will count each full month that you receive SNAP benefits but do not meet these Time Limit Rules

without a good reason. Once we have counted 3 full months, you will lose your benefits.

What if you have a good reason for not following these Time Limit Rules?

Call us as soon as possible at 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347) if you think you have a good reason

for not following these Time Limit Rules. Good reasons include issues you can’t control such as getting

sick or not having transportation. These are some examples of good reasons, but there are others, too.

If we determine that you have a good reason, there will be no change to your SNAP benefits.

If you lose your SNAP benefits, how can you get them back?

You may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits again if you begin working or participating in a training

program for 80 hours per month.

You can also get SNAP benefits again if something changes in your life, and there are reasons you no

longer need to follow these rules. For example, you may get SNAP benefits back if you have a new

physical or mental health reason for not working or because of other reasons listed on this notice.

You may also get SNAP benefits again if you move to one of the cities or towns that do not have a

time limit.

What if you need more help?

If you have questions or need more information, please call us at 1-855-MY-RIDHS

(1-855-697-4347), Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. You may also visit our website

(www.dhs.ri.gov) for more information.

Sincerely,

RI Department of Human Services

www.dhs.ri.gov

Visit www.dhs.ri.gov for more information.

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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights

regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color,

national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age,

political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities

who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large

print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied

for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA

through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA

Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at:

https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling

(833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s

name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in

sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an

alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

1. mail: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA

1320 Braddock Place, Room 334

Alexandria, VA 22314; or

2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINT[email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Note: Please do not send any application materials to the address above. The address above is for civil

rights complaints only. Please send application materials to the address below:

RI Department of Human Services

P.O. Box 8709

Cranston, RI 02920-8787

If you have questions or need more information, please call us at 1-855-MY-RIDHS

(1-855-697-4347), Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. You may also visit our website

(www.dhs.ri.gov) for more information.