The terms employment and assistance go hand and glove with the Welfare Reform Act of 1996. This allows us, at Employment and Assistance, to help our clients gain self-sufficiency. Our "Work First" employment programs give our clients the needed help to locate and acquire employment. Our programs are income dependent and eligibility for them are based on preset income levels. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 set time limits for federally funded assistance, and work requirements for welfare recipients. Applicants and recipients for Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) are required to find employment quickly, and take responsibility for themselves and their families. If the client has reliable childcare and transportation arranged then employment issues are addressed such as:
Assistance with interview skills
Assistance with Resume construction
Assistance with job applications
Client counseling referring to dress code and conduct
ABAWD Work Requirements
Transcript
What ABAWD Means Starting March 1, 2026, people receiving SNAP in Clinton County must follow ABAWD work rules unless they qualify for an exemption. An ABAWD is an “Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents” who is not working 30+ hours per week or earning at least $217.50 per week. Who Is Exempt The document lists several exemptions. If any apply, you must notify DSS immediately. Examples include: * Under 18 or age 65+ * Pregnant * Living with a child under 14 * Medically unfit for work for at least 80 hours (requires documentation) * In drug/alcohol treatment * Caring for an incapacitated person * Eligible for Indian Health Services * Receiving disability benefits (VA, SSI/SSDI, NYS Disability, etc.) * Working 30+ hours/week or earning $217.50+ weekly The document states: “If you meet any of the listed ABAWD exemptions, you must notify our office at once…” If You Are NOT Exempt You must complete 80 hours per month in one or more approved activities, such as: * Paid work * Volunteer or inkind work * WIOA or Trade Act programs (job search, training, education) * Veteran programs * Work Experience Program (WEX) You must submit documentation by the 10th of the following month. The document says: “YOU MUST SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION… BY THE 10th OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE ACTIVITY.” Accepted proof includes paystubs, employer statements, WIOA logs, or volunteer forms. Time Limits If you don’t meet the work requirement and don’t have an exemption, you can only receive SNAP for 3 months in a 36month period. Each month you receive SNAP without meeting requirements counts toward those three months. Your Responsibilities You must: * Report if your work hours drop below 20 hours/week (80/month) * Report new exemptions * Contact DSS if you have good cause for missing hours Supportive Services DSS may help with items needed to meet work requirements, such as: * Clothing/shoes * Gas cards * Bus passes Consequences for Not Complying If you miss required hours for three months, you may lose eligibility. * Household of 1: case closes * Household of 2+: only the noncompliant person is removed To regain eligibility, you must show you are meeting work requirements again. Examples in the document include starting a new job or proving you worked 80 hours in a 30day period after losing eligibility. Contact Information Clinton County DSS 13 Durkee Street Plattsburgh, NY 12901 5185653300 If you want, I can also turn this into a simpler summary, a checklist, or explain how these rules apply to your specific situation.
Please review Intro to ABAWD for the federal government’s new requirements for SNAP eligibility. You can download the following forms to assist with your requirements:
