<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".23" citation="COMAR 07.03.17.23" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="17" heading="Work Requirement for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except as described in §§B(6) and (7) and G of this regulation, an individual may not participate in the Program as a member of a household if, during a 36-month period, the individual received Program benefits for at least 3 months as described in §F of this regulation, consecutive or not, during which the individual did not:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Work 20 hours or more per week averaged monthly;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For 20 hours or more per week, participate in and comply with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A Welfare Innovation Act program;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A Trade Adjustment Assistance Act program; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An employment and training program;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Combine work and participation in a work program as described in §A(2) of this regulation that totals 20 hours a week averaged monthly;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Participate and comply with the requirements of a workfare program under §20 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, or a comparable program established by the State or local government; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Qualify for an exemption under §B or C of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An individual is exempt from the requirement as described in §A of this regulation if the individual is:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Younger than 18 years old, or 47 years old or older;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Physically or mentally unfit;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A parent or other household member residing with a dependent child 17 years old or younger;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Pregnant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Exempt from work requirements as described in Regulation .21B of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Residing in one of the local department areas that has a waiver of the applicability of §A of this regulation from the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Exempt from work requirements in accordance with 7 U.S.C. §2015(o)(6).</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Subsequent Eligibility. An individual denied eligibility under §A of this regulation shall regain eligibility if, during a 30-day period, the individual:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Works 80 hours or more;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Participates in and complies with the requirements of a work program for 80 hours or more; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Fulfills the requirements of §A(3) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Maintaining Eligibility. An individual who regains eligibility under §C of this regulation remains eligible as long as the individual meets the requirements of §A of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Loss of Employment. An individual:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Who regains eligibility under §C of this regulation and who no longer meets the requirements under §A of this regulation remains eligible for a consecutive 3-month period as described in §F of this regulation, effective the date the individual first notifies the local department that the individual no longer meets the requirements of §A of this regulation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May not receive any benefits as described in §E(1) of this regulation for more than one 3-month period in a 36-month period.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A countable month is a month during which the individual receives a full month's allotment.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The provisions of §§A—F of this regulation are not applicable from April 1, 2009 until September 30, 2011, in accordance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>