Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division 28 - Division of County Operations
Rule 016.28.22-001 - SNAP Policy 3502.2 and SNAP 3502.3 - Act 419

3502.2 Discretionary Exemptions

SNAP Manual 05/01/2022

FNS provides the State Agency an allotted number of discretionary exemptions equal to twelve percent of the State's SNAP participation caseload. The State agency may use these exemptions to extend SNAP eligibility to individuals no longer eligible to participate in SNAP due to the three (3) month Able-Bodied Adult RTW time limit. Discretionary exemptions are granted to one Able-Bodied Adult for one month. The decision to exempt an individual from RTW must be documented in the case record.

The Division of County Operations is required to track and report the number of discretionary exemptions used each quarter via the FNS-583 form. The report must include the total number of exemptions used and the name and SSN of the individual that was granted the exemption. Discretionary exemptions do not expire and any unused exemptions from the previous fiscal year can carry over from year to year.

3502.3 Assignment of Discretionary Exemptions

SNAP Manual 05/01/2022

Discretionary exemptions allow certain individuals an opportunity to establish or re-establish themselves into the community. Discretionary exemptions may be assigned to the following groups:

* Individuals who are currently in Foster Care

* Individuals who are in Battered Women's Shelters

Individuals who are currently in Foster Care or Battered Women's Shelters may be exempt from the RTW until they exit Foster Care or the Battered Women's Shelter.