Good Cause for Failure to Satisfy the Work Requirement

ABAWDs subject to the time limit who would have satisfied the ABAWD work requirement, but missed some work for reasons outside of their control may be granted good cause. The individual shall be considered to have met the work requirement if the absence from work is temporary and the individual retains his or her job. Good cause is determined on a case by case basis. The month in which good cause is applied shall not be considered a countable month even though the ABAWD did not satisfy the work requirement for 80 hours for that month. Good cause may also be granted to individuals who would have satisfied the work requirement through a qualifying work activity or workfare, but did not do so for reasons outside of their control.

Good cause reasons include, but is not limited to:

• Illness;
• Illness of another household member requiring the presence of the ABAWD;
• A household emergency;
• A declaration of disaster; or
• Lack of transportation;
• Circumstances beyond a member's control;
• Resigning from an unsuitable job; or 
• Resigning due to experiencing discrimination “by an employer based on age, 
  race, sex, color, handicap, religious beliefs, national origin, or political beliefs.”

Important: There is no limit on the number of months an individual can be determined to have good cause for failure to satisfy the ABAWD work requirement. However, good cause is granted on a monthly basis. Therefore, the SSBS must verify if granting good cause is still applicable each month. When granting good cause, the SSBS must thoroughly document the reason for the good cause determination in the case record. Verification is not required.