1. (1) A participant is exempt from the community engagement activity participation requirements for a given month if, during part or all of that month, they are:

   1. (a) an individual described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX) of the Social Security Act;
   2. (b) an American Indian or Alaska Native as defined in ARM 37.84.102;
   3. (c) a caregiver as defined in ARM 37.84.102;
   4. (d) a veteran with a disability rated as total under 38 U.S.C. 1155;
   5. (e) medically frail as defined in ARM 37.84.102;
   6. (f) compliant with the work requirements of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program;
   7. (g) a member of a household that receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and are not exempt from a related work requirement;
   8. (h) participating in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program as defined in section 3(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008;
   9. (i) an inmate of a public institution or an individual who was previously an inmate of a public institution at any point during the three-month period ending on the first day of the month that is being reported on;
   10. (j) either under the age of 19 or over the age of 64;
   11. (k) entitled to, or enrolled in, Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B;
   12. (l) described in an eligibility group listed in subsection (I) through (VII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act;
   13. (m) pregnant or entitled to postpartum medical assistance under subsections (5) or (16) of 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e).
2. (2) On application of initial or renewed eligibility for the HELP program, the department will review electronic data sources to identify an exemption under this rule. If the department cannot identify an exemption through a data review, the participant may submit documentation to show they meet an exemption under this rule.

Authorizing statute(s): 53-2-215, 53-6-113, 53-6-1309, 53-6-1318, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 53-2-215, 53-6-101, 53-6-113, 53-6-1302, 53-6-1303, 53-6-1304, 53-6-1305, 53-6-1308, 53-6-1309, MCA

History: NEW, 2020 MAR p. 2438, Eff. 1/1/21; AMD, 2026 MAR, Notice No. 2026-514, Eff. 7/1/26.