Some people who get food benefits must work to keep them.
Answer these questions to find out if that is you.
Social Worker View
As of November 1, 2025, the ABAWD work requirement applies to all 120 Kentucky counties.
The OBBBA expanded the age range to 18–64 and repealed exemptions for veterans,
homeless individuals, and former foster youth. The dependent child age threshold
changed from under 18 to under 14.
Step 1 of 4
Step 2 of 4
Social worker note
The dependent child age threshold changed from under 18 to under 14 per the OBBBA.
Parents whose youngest child is 14 or older now face the 80-hour monthly requirement.
This is a significant change from prior policy and affects many KY households.
Verify the age of all children in the household.
Step 3 of 4
Social worker note
Tribal Member exemption added by the OBBBA. Verify enrollment documentation.
Step 4 of 4
You do not have a work requirement
Based on your answers, you do not have to work to keep your food benefits.
Social worker note
Exemption basis: see selected answers above.
Document the exemption basis in the case file. Confirm at each renewal that exemption criteria still apply.
The work requirement applies to you
You need to work at least 20 hours a week. That is 80 hours a month.
Here is what counts as work:
Working at a job
Job training or school
Looking for work — keep a written list of who you contact.
Community service
If you are already doing this but your benefits stopped, call right away.
Social worker note
Requirement: 80 hours per month of work or an approved Employment and Training (E&T) activity.
This applies to all 120 KY counties as of November 1, 2025.
No longer exempt: veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness,
former foster care youth age 24 or younger, adults ages 55–64.
E&T availability in Eastern KY is limited.
If no approved program is available in the client's county, document the unavailability.
This may support a good-cause exemption. Contact your regional E&T coordinator.
If client is already meeting the requirement but benefits were terminated, check
whether the work activity was properly reported in kynect. Unreported activity
is treated as non-compliance.
This rule may not apply in your county
Some Kentucky counties have a pause on this requirement.
Call to find out if your county is one of them.
Social worker note — County waivers
ABAWD time limit waivers for Kentucky counties under the
pre-OBBBA 'insufficient jobs' standard expired November 30, 2025.
Post-OBBBA waiver status for Kentucky counties (requiring 10%+
unemployment) is not confirmed as of April 2026. Litigation
regarding reinstated waivers is ongoing. Do not advise clients
on county-specific waiver status — direct to DCBS to confirm.