Basic Food Work Requirements - Work Registration

Revised: October 28, 2025

Purpose:

WAC 388-444-0005 Am I required to work or look for work in order to be eligible for Basic Food?

Clarifying Information - WAC 388-444-0005

Exempt clients (per WAC 388-444-0010) aren't required to register for work, so they are not work registrants.

Non-exempt clients are people who receive Basic Food and must be registered for work. They are considered work registrants, and further divided into two groups:

Work Registrants

  • Clients age 16 through 59 who do not meet an exemption listed in WAC 388-444-0010 must register for work and meet Work Registration requirements.
  • Non-ABAWD work registrants do not have time limits.
  • Participation in Employment & Training is voluntary in Washington State.
  • Work registrants who voluntarily quit a job or reduce their work hours below 30 hours a week without good cause will face a penalty
  • DSHS registers the clients for work by completing the Work Registration page in ACES/3G.

Work Registrants Who are ABAWDs
  • Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) are a subset of Work Registrants who must meet further requirements to remain eligible for benefits. Note: Individuals age 60-64 are exempt from the general Work Registration rules, however they are subject to ABAWD work requirements and timelines if not otherwise exempt.
  • Able-bodied adults, ages 18 through 64 without dependents, who live in a non-waived area, are required to participate in specific activities to retain eligibility for Basic Food beyond the three-month time limit unless they have an exemption or exception to participation rules. See ABAWDs- Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents for information on exemptions and exceptions.
  • ABAWD clients are referred to options to meet their participation requirements.

Worker Responsibilities - WAC 388-444-0005

  1. During application, add a person, eligibility review, or a change that impacts work registration, screen members of the Basic Food household to determine exempt or non-exempt status.
  2. For any exempt work registrants, code the most appropriate exemption per current procedure.
  3. For any non-exempt work registrant, determine if the client(s) is considered ABAWD.
  4. If a WorkFirst household is sanctioned, determine whether the sanctioned individual is exempt from Basic Food work requirements. Disqualify non-participating members of the TANF household from receiving Basic Food unless they are exempt under WAC 388-444-0010.
  5. Read the Work Registration and BFET Script(s) to household members in the assistance unit that are work registrants. Complete any necessary referrals to employment and training opportunities.
  6. Ensure the Consolidated Work Registration Notice populates in the letters for the household.