Wash. Admin. Code § 388-444-0035 – Who is exempt from ABAWD time limits and minimum work requirements?

Some people who receive basic food are exempt from able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limits and minimum work requirements. You are exempt from ABAWD time limits and work requirements under WAC 388-444-0030 if you meet any one or more of the following:

(1) You are exempt from work requirements under WAC 388-444-0010;
(2) You are defined as:
1. (a) An Indian or Urban Indian as defined in section 4 paragraphs 13 and 18 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; or
2. (b) A California Indian as described in section 809(a) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
(3) You are under age 18 or are age 65 or older beginning July 4, 2025.
(3) You receive temporary or permanent disability benefits issued by a governmental or private source;
(4) You are obviously mentally or physically unfit for employment as determined by the department; however, if the unfitness is not obvious, you must provide a statement that you are physically or mentally unfit for employment from a physician, physician's assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, designated representative of the physician's office, licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, or any other medical personnel the department determines appropriate;
(5) You are an adult in a basic food assistance unit that has a family member who is under the age of 14;
(6) You are pregnant;
(7) You live in an area approved as exempt by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); or
(8) You are eligible for one of the approved exemption slots under the USDA discretionary exemptions rule.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and H.R.1, P.L. 119-21. WSR 26-05-015, s 388-444-0035, filed 2/6/26, effective 3/9/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and 7 C.F.R. 273.24 (c)(7) and (8). WSR 25-15-022, s 388-444-0035, filed 7/7/25, effective 8/7/25. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090. WSR 24-05-071, § 388-444-0035, filed 2/20/24, effective 3/22/24. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120 and 7 C.F.R. 273.7, 7 C.F.R. 273.24. WSR 21-07-132, § 388-444-0035, filed 3/23/21, effective 4/23/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 7 C.F.R. 273.7, and SNAP. WSR 16-22-002, § 388-444-0035, filed 10/19/16, effective 11/19/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 7 C.F.R. 273.7 and 273.24. WSR 16-04-046, § 388-444-0035, filed 1/27/16, effective 2/27/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.08A.903, and 7 C.F.R. §§ 273.7 and 273.24. WSR 10-23-112, § 388-444-0035, filed 11/17/10, effective 12/18/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and 74.04.510. WSR 03-05-031, § 388-444-0035, filed 2/10/03, effective 4/1/03; WSR 00-04-006, § 388-444-0035, filed 1/20/00, effective 3/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510. WSR 99-07-024, § 388-444-0035, filed 3/10/99, effective 4/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-444-0035, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]