|
Food Stamps: Adults Without Children
ABLE-BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDENTS
What is an ABAWD?
ABAWDS are able-bodied adults without dependents. They are people between
the ages of 19 and 65 who are not disabled and do not have dependent
children.
What assistance can an ABAWD receive?
Medical Assistance: ABAWDS are NOT eligible for medical
assistance, including Medicaid and KidCare/FamilyCare.
Food Stamps: ABAWDS ARE eligible for food stamps as
long as they meet the eligibility criteria, such as income, assets, immigration
status,
and student status. Until recently, ABAWDS were required to
participate in a work program to receive food stamps for more than three
months if they were not already working. However, this rule is no
longer
in place, and ABAWDS do not have any work requirements to receive
food
stamps.
Cash Assistance: ABAWDS are NOT eligible to receive
TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, unless they are pregnant.
Eligibility
for TANF requires
a person to have dependent children.
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program: Female ABAWDS
may be eligible for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer
Program,
which
provides
free annual screenings for breast and cervical cancer for women
between the
ages of 35 and 65 who are not eligible for Medicaid or KidCare/FamilyCare
and who do not have private health insurance. Even women who
are undocumented can receive the Illinois Breast and Cervical
Cancer Program. If a woman
is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer WHILE ENROLLED
in this program, she will automatically be covered by Medicaid.
To learn more about your eligibility or to apply for public benefits,
call the
Illinois Hunger Coalition’s Hunger Hotline: 1-800-359-2163.
|
