Having a mental or physical illness, injury, or incapacity which is expected to continue for at least 30 days, and which impairs the participant's ability to obtain or retain employment as evidenced by professional certification or the receipt of temporary or permanent disability benefits issued by a private or government source. Professional certification means a statement about a person’s illness, injury, or incapacity that is signed by a Qualified Professional with training and experience to diagnose and to certify the person’s condition. See 0010.18.06 (Verifying Disability/Incapacity - SNAP), 0011.39 (Qualified Professionals).

SNAP applicants or recipients who have applied for SSI and provide proof of the SSI application. Work registration requirements are waived only while the SSI application is pending or the SSI denial is being appealed.

Responsible for the care of a unit member who is professionally certified as having a mental or physical illness, injury, or incapacity. Usually, only 1 unit member may claim exemption under this provision. However, there may be an EXCEPTION with medical documentation which specifies that more than 1 unit member is needed to provide the required care.

Age 60 or older.

Under age 16.

Age 16 or 17 and living with a parent or caregiver, or attending school or enrolled in an employment training program at least half-time.

Responsible for the care of a unit member who is a dependent child under age 6 (even if child care is available). In most instances, only 1 unit member may claim exemption under this provision. However, there may be an EXCEPTION with medical documentation which specifies that more than 1 unit member is needed to provide care. When the child turns 6, the exemption ends at the unit's next annual SNAP program recertification. The unit members may designate which person will use this exemption, but may not change the person designated until the next recertification period.

Employed or self-employed and meets 1 of the provisions below:

Receiving or have applied for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and are registered for work with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The participant must show proof of receipt of UI or documentation of application for UI.

Enrolled as a student at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher learning and is eligible under the provisions of 0011.18 (Students). This includes participants attending high school at least half-time, but does not include participants attending GED or ESL training only. When determining if the person is enrolled half-time, use the school or program’s criteria for being enrolled half-time. A SNAP E&T participant who is placed in a training program under the provisions of an Employment Plan (EP) may use this provision to be exempt from SNAP E&T or ABAWD provisions if the employment and training program for low income units is operated by a state or local government.

Participating regularly in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program. There is no minimum weekly amount of time that a person must be attending. If the person is following the treatment and rehabilitation program plan, the exemption is available. This does NOT include participants in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Refugees receiving the Matching Grant Program. For additional information about the Matching Grant Program, see MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM in 0002.39 (Glossary: Lump Sum…).