Date posted:
Attachment(s):
The adopted rule incorporates the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements in Section 111-7 pursuant to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) and consistent with 7 U.S.C. 2015 (6)(o)(2)-(3). The adopted rule is consistent with FRA 2023, which increased the age of those subject to ABAWD time limits to age 52 on September 1, 2023, age 54 on October 1, 2023, and to age 56 on October 1, 2024. FRA 2023 added new exemptions for ABAWD time limits for individuals experiencing homelessness, veterans, and individuals aged 24 or younger and in Foster Care up to the point that they would not be considered age eligible for Foster Care by the state that made the placement. In addition, the adopted rule added definitions for Foster Care and Veteran in Section 999-1.
The Department determined it necessary to make a non-substantial change to align this rule’s definition of Veteran with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and guidance provided by The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services on June 30, 2023. The adopted rule changes the definition of Veteran to “as defined in Section 5126(f)(13)(F) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, means an individual who served in the United States Armed Forces (such as Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard), including an individual who served in a reserve component of the Armed Forces, and who was discharged or released therefrom, regardless of the conditions of such discharge or release.”
In addition, the Department corrected a typographical error in Section 999-1, Trafficking (6) 7 C.F.R. § 271.2 by removing “U” from (7 C.F.R. § 271.2)U as present in the proposed rule.
This rule will not have an adverse impact on municipalities or small businesses.
Statutory Authority
22 M.R.S. §§ 42(1); 3104(13), and 3104-A
Effective date
September 1, 2023
Adopted
Office: Office for Family Independence
Routine technical
Email: Patricia.Dushuttle@maine.gov
Comment deadline:
Effective date:
Off