IM-29 COVID-19 GOOD CAUSE FOR ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS (ABAWD)

Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri

TO:  ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19-GOOD CAUSE FOR ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS (ABAWD)

DISCUSSION:

Effective April 1, 2020 ABAWDs will not be subject to work requirements. Good cause will be allowed as declared in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. A system change has been implemented to waive counties statewide from the ABAWD work requirements.

The EMPLOY (FMMS) screen will be displayed as normal within the CONFLOWS. Staff must determine a participant’s employment assessment code during the application process and make appropriate entries.

The WORKREQ (FMMR) screen will no longer appear while ABAWDs are waived from the work requirements.

During March, staff will continue to make entries on the EMPLOY (FMMS) and WORKREQ (FMMR) screens according to current Food Stamp Policy. This will allow applications to be processed instead of resulting in an ISD. The FAMIS Unit is following up on these cases to remove non-work months during the COVID-19 crisis period.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

EMAIL-IM-#05

KE/rw/cs