What is the Three-Month Time Limit?
Starting July 1, 2023, if you are an adult under 50 who does not live with children, you can only receive food stamps for three months unless you are working or meet an exception. These are known as the ABAWD rules (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents.) These requirements may only apply to some people in your household.
The ABAWD time limit was suspended through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act beginning on April 1, 2020. The three-month time limit is returning to North Carolina on July 1st, 2023.
Exceptions – You do NOT have a time limit if you are:
- Age 50 or older
- Under age 18
- Living with children (even if not yours)
- Receiving a disability-based benefit (Social Security, SSI, VA pension, Workers Comp, private insurance)
- Unfit for work at this time according to a doctor’s office
- In school or taking classes at least part-time (special rules apply)
- Pregnant
- Applying for or getting Unemployment Benefits
- In a drug or alcohol treatment program or in need of that treatment
- Homeless
- Caring for a disabled person or child under 6 (does not need to live in same household)
- Not able to work 20 hours per week
- If you are making over $217.50 per week, regardless of number of hours worked
- Some other exceptions apply
How can I keep my food stamps if the time limit applies to me?
- Work at least 20 hours/week, including at a job, your own business, or in exchange for goods or services
- Do job training through DSS 20 hours/week
- Volunteer 20 hours/week
- Any combination of the above
Call your DSS if you have questions about the time limit or if you need help showing the limit does not apply to you or finding volunteer work or training
Contact one of the organizations below if your food stamps are stopped or denied or if you would like to speak with a lawyer about your rights:
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do if you believe one of these reasons apply to you?
Contact your local DSS. If your caseworker finds that one of these reasons apply to you, you will not need to follow these Time Limit Rules. Proof of an exception or meeting the work requirements may be required. If so, you have the right to request that DSS assist you in gathering proof.
What if I have a good reason for missing work?
If you have a “good cause” for working under 20 hours/week, DSS should not terminate your food stamps. Good causes for missing hours of work include: illness, transportation issues, or bad weather that shut down the workplace. DSS will ask for proof of the good cause.
What if my Food Stamp benefits are reduced or end due to the time limit but should not have been?
DSS is required to give you advanced written notice of a proposed reduction or termination of benefits of at least 10 business days before they take such action. The notice must state the reason for the action, the effective date of the action, and the name and contact information of the person to contact to request more information or to request a fair hearing to challenge the action. At recertification, your caseworker must review your eligibility for exceptions retroactively.
You have the right to request a hearing if you do not agree with DSS’s decision. You can request a hearing by contacting your local DSS in person, by telephone, or in writing.
What else should I know?
You can get your benefits back if you start meeting the work requirements or an exception. You may also qualify for a second 3-month period of food stamps if you met the work rules in the past. Make sure you are providing DSS with the most current information regarding your employment or exceptions.
What other food resources are available?
- WIC: If you have a child under 5 and/or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may be eligible for WIC. Learn more about WIC and complete a WIC referral online at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwicreferral.
- 211: Visit www.nc211.org or dial 211 to be connected to community food resources.
- Food Pantries: You can find local food pantries by visiting https://www.foodpantries.org/.
- NC Care 360: Request help or find resources by clicking the “For Individuals” tab on https://nccare360.org/
- FindHelp: Find food and other resources at https://www.findhelp.org/