MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH:
No provisions.


SNAP:
Time-limited SNAP Recipients (TLRs) are applicants/recipients who are:

●	Age 18 – 64. See TE02.05.70 (Coding the WREG Panel for SNAP) for system instructions for individuals ages 50-64.
●	Not exempt from the general work rules (AKA “Work Registration”). Note: Participants aged 60-64 are exempt from the general work rules but are TLRs, subject to the time-limited work rules unless they meet another exemption. See 0028.06.12 (Who Is Exempt From the SNAP General Work Rules). When someone claims an exemption and verification is needed, the person is a TLR until they provide verification of the exemption.
●	Not exempt from the time-limited work rules. See 0028.06.15 (Who is Exempt from the SNAP Time-Limited Work Rules).

TLRs must follow the time-limited work rules described below or they are only eligible to receive SNAP for 3 months in a 36-month fixed period. The 36-month period is described later in this section. TLRs must also follow general work rules. See 0028.07 (General Work Rules for SNAP).

All of the general work and time-limited work rules must be verbally explained to the SNAP unit at:

• Application
• Recertification
• When a person moves into the unit and is subject to the time-limited work rules and/or the general work rules.
• When a recipient has a change to the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules that they must follow.

You must also give or send Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Rules Notice (DHS-8159) (PDF) and verbally explain the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules that they must follow. This conversation can be held with any SNAP unit member age 18 or older or authorized representative. Document reviewing this information in MAXIS Case Notes and save a copy of the completed DHS-8159 in the case file.

MAXIS
See TEMP Manual TE02.05.70 (Coding the WREG Panel for SNAP) for more system information on coding TLRs.

TIME-LIMITED WORK RULES
TLRs must follow time-limited work rules to receive SNAP more than 3 months each fixed 36-month period. A TLR must complete approved work or work-related activities at least 80 hours per month. When they complete these work or work-related activities the months they are doing so do not count towards the 3 in 36-month time limit. The TLR must first complete the work or work-related activities for at least 80 hours per month in a 30 consecutive day period before the month does not count towards the time-limit. Once the TLR completes this and anticipates the hours to continue, do not count the months they anticipate completing the work or work-related activities towards the time-limit.

NOTE: Following work rules is not the same as meeting an exemption. TLRs meeting the time-limited work rules are still subject to these rules but do not have months count towards their time limit since they are meeting the time-limited work rules.

Approved work or work-related program activities are:

●	Working, including paid employment, self-employment, in-kind, and unpaid work. This includes use of accrued sick or vacation time, if available.
●	Participating in Title 1 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services.
●	Participating in Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) services.
●	Participating in SNAP E&T activities. The client needs to be eligible and receiving SNAP benefits in order to work with SNAP E&T. SNAP E&T provides will communicate when a client meets the 80-hour minimum requirement for these activities. See 0028.03.03 (Employment Services/SNAP E&T Required Components).
●	Any employment and training program operated by the Department of Labor or Veterans Affairs that serves veterans.
●	Participate in a combination of any of the above work and work or training program hours for a total of at least 80 hours a month.

REQUIRED VERIFICATIONS
Verification of meeting the time-limited work rules is required to not count a month towards the 3-month time limit. Obtain verification from the employer, from the SNAP E&T provider, or from the work-related program. Once verification is received that they are following the time-limited work rules, do not count the month. Continue to not count months if it is determined the client will prospectively follow the time-limited work rules and monthly verification is not required.

DETERMINING THE 3 INITIAL COUNTED MONTHS
Any month a TLR is not following the time-limited work rules is counted as 1 of the 3 initial months following these steps:

1.

Review the case to see if the TLR is exempt the time-limited work rules and/or the general work rules as described in 0028.06.12 (Who Is Exempt From the SNAP General Work Rules) and 0028.06.15 (Who is Exempt from the SNAP Time-Limited Work Rules). If exempt, this person is not a TLR and not subject to the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules and months are not counted. The case must be updated and reapproved. If not exempt, move onto the next step.

2.

Count the verified hours the TLR has spent working or in approved work activities for the entire month. If the work or work activities equal at least 80 hours, the month is not counted against the 3 initial months. If the work activities are less than 80 hours, the month is counted.

NOTE:

●	Counted months do not have to be consecutive.
●	Months in which a TLR household receives prorated SNAP benefits do not count.
●	TLR counted months used in another state count towards the time limit in Minnesota. This needs to be verified by contacting the other state. To check if the other state was under a waiver from the lime-limits, see https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/ABAWD/waivers.
●	TLRs can earn more than the initial 3 counted months of SNAP by following the time-limited rules. More information about gaining additional months of eligibility can be found later in this section.

TLRs are not subject to the time limits if they live in a county or on an Indian reservation where all recipients are waived or when the entire state is waived from the time limits. See TEMP Manual TE02.05.68 (Tribal Nations Waived from Work and Time-limited SNAP Provisions), TE02.05.69 (Counties Waived from Work and Time-limited Provisions).

For changes that occur during the certification period, see 0008.06.01 (Implementing Changes – Program Provisions).

GOOD CAUSE
When the TLR would have met the time-limited work rules but missed some hours for a good reason, grant good cause and do not consider the month as 1 or the 3 initial counted months. Good cause for TLRs not meeting the time-limited work rules is due to someone temporarily not meeting enough work or work-related activity hours but have since returned to work or the work-related activities or anticipate doing so by the next benefit month. An example of this is but not limited to a client missing a work shift due to being sick but does not have sick pay to cover those missed hours at work. Good cause may be granted for not meeting the 80-hour work requirement for that month because it was temporary, the client has returned to work and anticipates meeting the work hours for the next month. Additional examples of good cause include but are not limited to:

• Illness or illness of a family member.
• A household emergency.
• No transportation to the work or work-related activity.

Note: Good cause for a TLR not meeting the time-limited work rules is different than good cause listed in 0028.21 (Good Cause Non-Compliance – SNAP/MSA/GA/GRH). Good cause in 0028.21 (Good Cause Non-Compliance – SNAP/MSA/GA/GRH) is due to someone quitting or voluntarily reducing their hours below 30 per week permanently.

THE 36-MONTH FIXED CLOCK
Minnesota uses a fixed clock to measure the 36-month period. The current 36-month fixed clock began 01/01/2023 and runs through 12/31/2025. The next 36-month fixed clock period will be 01/01/2026-12/31/2028.

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
TLRs subject to the time limits must report when their work hours fall below 20 hours per week, averaged 80 hours per month. Work includes paid employment, self-employment, in-kind, and unpaid work. This is a reporting requirement for all reporting types. They do not need to report a change in training or other approved work-related activity hours. See 0007.03.02 (Six-Month Reporting) and 0007.03.05 (Change Reporting).

ENDING SNAP BENEFITS
Once a TLR uses all 3 initial counted months during the fixed 36-month period, they are ineligible for SNAP unless they meet an exemption from the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules, are meeting the time-limited work rules, are eligible for the Second 3-Month Period described later in this section or have banked months available (also described later in this section). However, when a TLR is ineligible, their income and deductions may still count for the additional unit members receiving SNAP. See 0016.39 (Income of Ineligible Time-limited SNAP Recipients).

Reinstate a TLRs case when it closed for using their 3 counted months in a 36-month period and the TLR reports and verifies (when needed) an exemption or that they are meeting the time-limited work rules in the month of closure. Pro-rate benefits based on the date:

• They reported the exemption when no verification beyond the client’s statement is needed.
• The date they provided verification of the exemption when verification is needed.
• The date they provided verification they are meeting time-limited work rules.

This must occur in the month of closure and there must be at least one month left in the client’s certification period. If the client reports and/or verifies an exemption or that they are meeting the time-limited work rules after their case has been closed for over 30 days or they do not have one month left in their certification period, they must re-apply for SNAP.

REAPPLICATION AFTER THE INITIAL 3 COUNTED MONTHS
When a TLR has had their case closed for using their 3 counted months in a 36-month period and reapplies for SNAP within the same 36-month period, they must meet an exemption from the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules, be meeting the time-limited work rules, be eligible for the Second 3-Month Period or have banked months available. If none of these apply for the client, they are ineligible for SNAP. Deny the application for the TLR using the 3 counted months in a 36-month period.

When the TLR is meeting the time-limited work rules, the hours must be completed before eligibility can be granted. The 30 consecutive days may occur at any time after the TLR used the 3 initial counted months. Once the recipient has participated in work or work-related activities at least 80 hours a month, eligibility can be granted back to the date of application. Once eligibility is granted, eligibility will continue as long as it is prospectively anticipated that the person will meet the time-limited work rules for the next month. When the work or work-related activities fall below 20 hours per week/80 per month, determine if the client has good cause as described in the “Good Cause” section of this chapter. When good cause can be granted the TLR remains eligible for SNAP. When good cause cannot be granted, the TLR is no longer eligible for SNAP unless they meet an exemption, eligibility for the Second 3-Month Period or have banked months available.

Note: Even though prorated months do not count towards the time limits, a TLR that has already used their 3 counted months and reapplies for SNAP is not eligible even in the prorated application month unless they meet an exemption, the time-limited work rules, eligibility for the Second 3-Month Period or have banked months available.

When postponing verification of an exemption or that the TLR is meeting the time-limited work rules to approve expedited SNAP, see TEMP Manual TE02.05.70.01 (WREG Expedited SNAP Postponed Verifs).

TLR ELIGIBILITY AFTER THE INITIAL 3 COUNTED MONTHS - SECOND 3-MONTH PERIOD
TLRs may be eligible for ONE second 3-month period if they meet certain criteria. If, during the same fixed 36-month period the TLR has met all the criteria below, the second 3-month period may be available for use:

●	Used all 3 counted months.
	AND
●	Has worked or participated in approved work or training program activities at least 80 hours total in a 30-day period. The work activities need to occur after the TLR has used their 3 counted months in a 36-month period.
	AND
●	The work or work-related activities have ended or been reduced to less than 80 hours total per month.

The second 3-month period starts the 1st day of the 1st full month in which SNAP benefits are provided under this second 3-month eligibility period. A partial or prorated month is not counted as part of the second 3-month period. The second 3-month period runs for 3 consecutive countable months regardless of whether or not the recipient receives benefits in all 3 months. This second 3-month period is only available ONCE during each fixed 36-month period.

BANKED MONTHS
Banked months are months a TLR can receive SNAP that are in addition to, and available for use, after the 3 initial counted months have been used within the same 36-month period. Banked months may only be used when DHS provides instruction that they are available statewide. When Minnesota has banked months available to use, eligibility begins when TLRs meet all of the following conditions:

• Are subject to the time limits and time-limited work rules.
• Have already received SNAP benefits for 3 counted months during the current 36-month time period.
• Are not meeting the time-limited work rules.
• Are not eligible for the Second 3-Month Period of Eligibility or have already used it during the current 36-month time period.

If any of the above conditions are not met, the client is not eligible for banked months. Continued eligibility following the policy provisions listed above must be screened prior to approving banked months.

Banked months cannot be applied to any month when the client reports and verifies an exemption or meeting the time-limited work rules. Any months that were initially counted as banked months where a client meets an exemption or is meeting the time-limited work rules must be uncounted.

For MAXIS instructions see TEMP Manual TE10.34.01 (TLR Banked Months – System Process).

When the client is eligible for expedited SNAP and verification of an exemption or that the client is meeting the time-limited work rules is needed as a condition of eligibility, banked months may be used to postpone the verification. Do this when the TLR has already used their 3 initial counted months in the same 36-month period and after all attempts have been made to verify this within the expedited processing timelines. See 0004.04 (Expedited SNAP) for more information about postponing verifications.

• When banked months are available, issue expedited SNAP with the client coded in MAXIS as eligible for banked months.
• When the client returns verification of the exemption or that they are meeting the time-limited work rules, uncounted any banked months where they meet the exemption.
• When the client does not provide verification of the exemption, they can still receive all available banked months once they have used the banked months, they need to meet an exemption from the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules, be meeting the time-limited work rules, or be eligible for the Second 3-Month period to continue to be eligible for SNAP. If the TLR does not meet one of these criteria, they are ineligible for SNAP. Close the case or remove the TLR the next available month, allowing for 10-day notice.
• When verification of an exemption or that the client is meeting the time-limited work rules is postponed, they remain eligible for expedited SNAP. When banked months have already been exhausted follow the guidance in TEMP Manual TE02.05.70.01 (WREG Expedited SNAP Postponed Verifs).