“TLR” SNAP Time Limits for Single Adults without Dependents (formerly ABAWDs)

TLR stands for “Time-Limited Recipient.” It used to be called “Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD).” It is an adult between 18 and 54 years old who is not disabled, not pregnant, not ill, and not living in a household with minor children. People under age 18 or over age 54 are not TLRs.

If you are a TLR, you can only get 3 months of SNAP (food stamps) in a 36-month period unless you work, go to school, volunteer, or meet an exception. As a TLR, you can volunteer to take part in training programs, including GED, ESL or Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes. 

You must be:

• working or doing volunteer work for 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month OR
   
• doing SNAP employment and training or be in a workfare program for 27 hours a month  

The SNAP 3-month time limit DOES NOT apply if you:

• are under age 18 or age 54 and older
   
• are age 24 or younger and were in foster care on your 18th birthday
   
• served in the U.S. Military
   
• can't work 20 hours or more a week because of a physical or mental problem that is expected to last at least 30 days
   
• are homeless
   
• are caring for a child under the age of 18 (you do not have to be the child's parent)
   
• get General Assistance (GA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSDI), or Minnesota Supplemental Assistance (MSA)
   
• get Unemployment Benefits
   
• are pregnant
   
• take care of an ill or disabled person in your household
   
• are enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school or training program
   
• are in a drug or alcohol rehab program
   
• applied for SSI and your application is pending
   
• get rehabilitative services (DVR)
   
• get developmentally disabled services (DD)

Because the rules changed, you may be able to get SNAP benefits again sooner. Talk with your county about how you can get your food stamps back.

You can choose which 3 months to get SNAP in the 36-month period (3 years). Any month that you get less than a full month of benefits does not count as one of your months. This can happen if you applied after the 1st of the month or weren’t eligible for some days in the month. If someone in a household loses SNAP because of the time limit, others in the household can still get SNAP.