Possession of a Dangerous Weapon in a Federal Facility; Depredation of Federal Property
Keith Michael Lisa, 51, of New Jersey (with ties to Mahwah and New York City), is a fugitive wanted by the FBI as of November 2025 for allegedly vandalizing the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba in Newark’s Peter W. Rodino Federal Building on November 13, 2025. According to authorities, Lisa entered the building with a baseball bat after being denied a meeting, causing damage to government property. He faces federal charges of possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility and depredation of federal property, with a U.S. District Court arrest warrant issued the same day. T he FBI describes him as 6’3″ tall, with brown and gray hair and brown eyes, and considers him dangerous. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction; tips can be submitted to 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. He was previously booked in Bergen County, NJ, on October 26, 2025, on unrelated charges. The FBI took him into custody shortly after the incident, per reports
Date(s) of Birth Used
April 11, 1974
Place of Birth
California
Hair
Brown/Gray
Eyes
Brown
Height
6’3″
Weight
200 to 230 pounds
Sex
Male
Race
White
Nationality
American
Reward:
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Keith Michael Lisa.
Remarks:
Lisa has ties to New York City, New York, and Mahwah, New Jersey.
Caution:
Keith Michael Lisa is wanted for allegedly entering the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building in Newark, New Jersey, on November 12, 2025, while in possession of a bat. After being denied entry, he discarded the bat and returned. Once inside the building, he proceeded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office where he damaged government property. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Lisa on November 13, 2025, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey after he was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon in a Federal Facility and Depredation of Federal Property.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced a 10-year extension of the Roosevelt Island Master Lease to 2078, securing housing stability and financial certainty for over 5,500 residential units and 12,000 residents. Alongside the extension, a joint planning and community engagement process with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) will explore new affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, and public amenities, including potential redevelopment of the former Steam Plant site and the NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler campus. The initiative aims to preserve the islandâs unique character while preparing for sustainable growth, with long-term lease updates to reflect community priorities and streamline operations between the State, City, and RIOC.
Two men from Texas and Florida were sentenced today to four years and two years in prison, respectively, for their roles as leaders of a marketing company that solicited Medicare beneficiaries for medically unnecessary genetic testing. The Florida man received an additional two years in prison, to be served concurrently, for his role in falsifying the ownership information in Medicare enrollment documentation for a clinical laboratory.
According to court documents, Paul Wexler, 56, of Spring, Texas, and Paul Bleignier, 64, of Seminole, Florida, operated a telemarketing company that recruited Medicare beneficiaries for cancer genetic (CGx) testing that was medically unnecessary. CGx testing uses DNA sequencing to detect mutations in genes that could indicate a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers in the future. It is not a method of diagnosing whether an individual presently has cancer, and Medicare covers CGx testing in limited circumstances. Further, Wexler, Bleignier and their co-conspirators solicited and received kickbacks in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries for CGx testing that was not eligible for Medicare reimbursement. Through the scheme, Wexler and Bleignier caused Medicare to be billed $17.3 million, and they were paid $5.2 million.
While the criminal case for genetic testing fraud was pending, Bleignier opened a clinical laboratory and enrolled it in Medicare. Medicare requires a certification listing anyone with 5% or more ownership interest, but Bleignier used other peopleâs identities to disguise his involvement. The claims related to that laboratory were further tainted by kickbacks. Bleignier and his co-conspirators billed Medicare for $3,012,156 in claims that were ineligible for reimbursement, and they were paid $916,106.
In April 2024, Wexler pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. In November 2022, Bleignier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay and receive kickbacks, and in November 2024, he pleaded guilty to making false statements related to health care matters. At sentencing the two were ordered to pay $1.2 million in forfeiture each and $5.2 million in restitution. Bleignier was ordered to pay an additional $916,106 in forfeiture for his role in falsifying the ownership information in Medicare enrollment documentation.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Departmentâs Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida; and Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Charles D. Strauss of the Criminal Divisionâs Fraud Section prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Divisionâs efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
â Five members of the transnational criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) were found guilty by a jury today of committing six murders to advance their standing in the gang â killings in which the victims varyingly were strangled, shot, stabbed with knives or a machete, beaten with a baseball bat, then, in some cases, had their bodies thrown off a cliff or down a hill in the Angeles National Forest.
At the conclusion of a nine-week trial, a jury found the following defendants guilty of one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act:
Walter Chavez Larin, 26, of Panorama City;
Roberto Alejandro Corado Ortiz, 30, of Baldwin Park; and
Edwin Martinez, 28, of Cypress Park.
Chavez and Corado also were found guilty of two counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder. Martinez was found guilty of three counts of VICAR murder. Bryan Alexander Rosales Arias, 28, of South Los Angeles, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder. Erick Eduardo Rosales Arias, 27, also of South Los Angeles and who is Bryan Rosalesâs brother, was found guilty of one count of VICAR murder.
âThe horrific violence in this case underscores the urgency of destroying MS-13 and putting its depraved members behind bars,â said United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi. âUnder President Trump, MS-13 can no longer unleash terror on the American people with impunity: We will eradicate this foreign terrorist organization and secure justice for its victims.â
âWe thank the jury for returning swift guilty verdicts against these MS-13 criminals who engaged in horrific acts of violence and murder,â said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. âI thank and commend our law enforcement partners for their work in removing members of this terrorist organization from our streets. MS-13 is a violent brutal gang that must be eliminated from the United States, and we will not stop until we succeed in our mission.â
âCases such as this one serve as a reminder that MS-13 has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization,â said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIâs Los Angeles Field Office. âThe defendants in this case carried out barbaric attacks on their victims to simply enhance their ranking within the gang. Iâm proud of the hard work that went into this trial by agents and prosecutors which resulted in a guilty verdict and a measure of justice for the victims, and which will effectively remove murderers and terrorists from Los Angeles communities.â
âThe brutality of these crimes is a stark reminder of the importance of our shared mission: to protect the people of Los Angeles from those who seek to do harm,â said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. âI thank every investigator, prosecutor, and law enforcement professional who contributed to this case. Their dedication has brought justice to the victims and sent a clear message â we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our city. Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to stand against gang violence in all its forms.â
âThese convictions send a powerful message that criminal gang violence and intimidation have no place in Los Angeles County,â said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. âThese violent individuals terrorized our communities and tore families apart to further their criminal network. Through the tireless efforts of our local and federal partners, we have brought justice to the victimsâ families and held these individuals accountable for their brutal crimes.â
âMS-13 has inflicted unimaginable suffering on victims and their families in our communities,â said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. âThese guilty verdicts for crimes related to murder, extortion and drug trafficking against five members of MS-13âs leadership demonstrate the relentless and fearless partnership between local and federal law enforcement and prosecutors to bring these dangerous criminals to justice.â
According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants murdered their victims who either were â or perceived to be â members of the 18th Street gang, a rival of MS-13, or had violated MS-13âs rules.
The trial focused on MS-13 Los Angeles cliques that implemented gang rules that required its members to use murder and extreme violence to rise within its ranks.
The charges relate to machete, knife, and baseball bat killings in the Angeles National Forest and several other areas in remote, mountainous locations in Los Angeles County. Those six murders â which included murders committed in the mountains near Malibu, in a remote area of the Santa Clarita Valley, and two in Van Nuys â are also charged as violent crimes committed in aid of racketeering (VICAR). Those six counts allege that the victims were killed âfor the purpose of gaining entry to and maintaining and increasing position in MS-13 Los Angeles.â
In June 2017, one victim â who claimed he had a leadership role in MS-13â was taken to the Angeles National Forest then stabbed and hacked to death by his killers, including Chavez. Several of the assailants unsuccessfully tried to decapitate him then left his body behind.
In October 2017, another victim â rumored to be an 18th Street member â was lured to his death by two teenage girls. He was kidnapped, strangled, beaten with a baseball bat then fatally stabbed with a large hunting style knife. Before his body was thrown off a cliff in the Angeles National Forest. This victimâs assailants included Corado and Bryan Rosales.
In July 2018, a third victim â also rumored to be an 18th Street member â was lured to Malibu hills under the auspices of smoking marijuana and drinking beer with several other people. While the victim stood at a scenic overlook, Corado shot him in the back of the head. Corado gave the gun to Erick Rosales, who shot the victim before passing the gun to other MS-13 members who took turns shooting him. This victimâs body ultimately was thrown off the edge of a road down a hill.
Martinez murdered three victims â one of them was shot to death in December 2018 after returning from the gym and was mistaken for an 18th Street gang member, another was an MS-13 associate addicted to methamphetamine (a violation of MS-13 rules) who was shot to death on January 13, 2019, and the third was a homeless man who was fatally shot on January 14, 2019 for having a tattoo believed to be related to 18th Street. Chavez participated in the January 13 murder.
Sentencing hearings before United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II are scheduled for July 2026, at which time each of the defendants will face a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison.
Prosecutors have secured 25 convictions so far in this case. Several other MS-13 members and associates are scheduled to go to trial in April 2026 in connection with racketeering conspiracy and gang murders.
The FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriffâs Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Sara B. Vargas of the Major Crimes Section, Benedetto L. Balding of the Transnational Organized Crime Section, William Larsen of the Criminal Appeals Section, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Siddall are prosecuting this case.
Updated November 10, 2025
Monday, November 10, 2025 Office of Public Affairs
The City of New York on Tuesday filed an amicus brief in federal court backing the immediate release of E.J.C.C., a 16-year-old Bronx public school student detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a routine Oct. 23 check-in, arguing that detention should be a last resort for children who pose no flight or safety risk. The brief, submitted in the Southern District of New York, says the studentâwho lives with a family member, attends Gotham Collaborative High School with perfect attendance, and is described by teachers as responsible and engagedâhas already missed three weeks of classes and faces irreparable educational harm. Mayor Eric Adams called public schools âsafe, nurturing placesâ and said the city is âproud to support his petition for justice,â while Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant contended that the Trump administration had not met the âvery high barâ for detaining the minor. The filing asserts that if the government intended to deport the teen despite his Special Immigrant Juvenile status and deferred application, it could have allowed legal challenges while leaving him in family care; instead, it detained him without warning at an appointment he âfaithfully attended.â City officials said they have taken similar legal steps for other detained students in recent years.
â The City of New York today took action in support of E.J.C.C., a New York City Public Schools student who was detained on October 23, 2025, after attending a mandatory, routine immigration check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, by filing an amicus brief in support of E.J.C.C.âs petition for immediate release from custody.
E.J.C.C., a 16-year-old who lives with a relative chosen by his mother, is a student at Gotham Collaborative High School in the Bronx. An average of 93 percent of students graduate from Gotham Collaborative High, and E.J.C.C., who has a 100 percent attendance record, is described by his teachers as a committed and responsible student. He is a leader in his college and career readiness class, showing his dedication to building a successful future.
âOur public schools should be safe, nurturing places where any child can get the best education and the tools they need to succeed,â said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. âE.J.C.C. is a hard-working student, dedicated to his school work and future, who followed the proper immigration process. We are proud to support his petition for justice, just like we have done with the many other New York City Public School students who have been detained during routine immigration proceedings.â
âAs detailed in this brief, the unnecessary detainment of children who pose no flight or safety risk causes irreparable harm to their schooling and to the educational system as a whole,â said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. âThe Trump administration has not met the very high bar for detaining this minor student who is better served remaining in the community with his family.â
The brief â filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York â argues that âdetention should always be a last resort. In cases like this, where the child has been living with a family member and undisputedly poses no flight or safety risk, children should remain in their communities, allowing them to access city schools and services while their immigration issues are being resolved.â E.J.C.C. has already missed three weeks of class as a result of his detention.
The detainment will only further derail his education, and âgiven the passage of so much time, E.J.C.C.âs release will not be âprompt,â as the law requires. Only his immediate release can prevent further harm.â
The brief further argues that âif the federal government wished to deport [E.J.C.C.] and believed his Special Immigrant Juvenile status and deferred application were no obstacle, it could have informed him that it planned to do so, allowed his lawyer to make any relevant legal challenges, and left him in the care of his family and school in the meantime. Instead, it chose to detain him without warning at the appointment he faithfully attended. The City of New York has a strong interest in ensuring that immigrant minors are not unnecessarily detained, and the city prides itself on offering a free and robust education to all children regardless of immigration status, ensuring that the cityâs schoolchildren grow up prepared for civic life.â
The City of New York has taken similar legal action in support of other New York City Public School students, including Dylan Lopez Contreras, Jose Luis, and Derlis Snaider, who were all arrested in Manhattan courthouses after attending mandatory, routine immigration hearings.
What it is: A U.S. federal holiday honoring all who served in the Armed Forces. It marks the Armistice ending WWI (11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month).
Todayâs date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (observed the same day since itâs not a weekend).
Whatâs open/closed: ⢠Federal offices & USPS: Closed; no regular mail delivery. ⢠Banks: Generally closed. ⢠Schools/DMV: Often closed (varies locally). ⢠Markets: U.S. stock markets open; bond markets closed.
Flag etiquette: Fly the U.S. flag at full staff (Memorial Day is the half-staff one until noon).
Ways to observe (simple & meaningful): ⢠11:00 a.m. moment of silence. ⢠Thank a veteran directly or donate to a reputable veteransâ charity. ⢠Attend a local parade or ceremony. ⢠Support veteran-owned businesses.
Hereâs whatâs happening in New York City for Veterans Day (Tue, Nov 11, 2025):
NYC Veterans Day Parade (Americaâs Parade) ⢠Opening ceremony: ~11:00 a.m. at Madison Square Park (Eternal Light Flagstaff) with wreath-laying. Madison Square Park Conservancy ⢠Step-off:12:30 p.m. on 5th Ave at 26th St, marching up to 47th/48th St; runs to about 3:30 p.m. New York Post+2CBS News+2 ⢠Grand marshals (2025): Suni Williams (Navy), Clinton Romesha (Army), Stephen Peck (USMC). UWVC ⢠How to watch: Livestream/TV via local outlets (e.g., ABC7). ABC7 New York
Street closures (Manhattan, at NYPD discretion): ⢠Route: 5th Ave 25thâ48th St. ⢠Formation/Dispersal & misc. closures: Broadway (Flatiron area), cross streets around 23rdâ29th, 45th St between 6th Ave & Madison Ave, and nearby segments. Plan for delays in FlatironâMidtown. FOX 5 New York+2CBS News+2
Transit notes: ⢠PATH runs a weekday schedule on Veterans Day. Port Authority NY-NJ ⢠MTA subways/buses generally run normal weekday service; allow extra time near the parade zone due to detours. (City traffic advisories note event-related closures along 5th Ave.) New York City Government
Whatâs open/closed locally: ⢠NYC government offices & courts:Closed today. New York City Government+1 ⢠USPS:Closed; no regular mail. (Private carriers may operate.) NBC New York+1
Today and everyday, weâre grateful to the men and women who have put on the uniform of our great country. To those who have served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Coast Guard, thank you, you are the best of us.
IMPORTANT: As many of you know, thanks to our work, YouTube rolled back its Biden-era censorship policies on elections and COVID, and is allowing Americans banned under the now-defunct policies to return to the platform.
If youâd like to get your old channel back with ALL subscribers, make sure to appeal to renew your account by NOVEMBER 9.
Just log into your old account and start the appeals process.
Dan Bonginoâs team applied to get his old channels and nearly one million subscribers back and was totally successful.
In a wide-ranging â60 Minutesâ interview, President Donald J. Trump cast the first nine months of his term as historically successful, citing record stock market gains, global peace efforts, and a hard line on law and order while pressing Democrats to end the government shutdown and work with him on health care. He criticized Obamacare as costly and fixable with bipartisan talks once the government reopens, backed stricter immigration enforcement with legal reentry pathways, and said tariffs helped lift markets and 401(k)s. Trump endorsed ending the Senate filibuster to pass reforms, described the Gaza cease-fire as âvery solid,â warned misbehavior by Hamas would be met âimmediately,â and said the U.S. must address nuclear testing and remain vigilant on China and Venezuela. He argued crime in Democrat-run cities may warrant federal intervention but said he has held back so far.
President Trump on 60 Minutes: âGreatest Nine Months in the History of the Presidencyâ
Marking the most accomplished nine months of any presidency in history, President Donald J. Trump used his powerhouse interview on 60 Minutes to showcase record stock market gains, global peace breakthroughs, and his unwavering commitment to law and order. Highlighting these remarkable successes, President Trump made clear to Democrats: reopen the government and work with him to keep America on the path to even greater prosperity and security.
Here the top moments you may have missed:
On ending the Democrat Shutdown: âWe keep voting. I mean, the Republicans are voting almost unanimously to end it â and the Democrats keep voting against ending it⌠Theyâve lost their way.â
On Obamacare: âObamacare is terrible. Itâs bad healthcare at far too high a price. We should fix that. We should fix it, and we can fix it with the Democrats. All they have to do is let the country open, and weâll fix it. They have to let the country open and Iâll sit down with the Democrats and weâll fix it.â
On healthcare: âWe can make it much less expensive for people and give them much better healthcare â and Iâd be willing to work with the Democrats on it, [but] the problem is they want to give money to prisoners, to drug dealers, to all these millions of people that were allowed to come in with an open border from Biden, and nobody can do that. Not one Republican would ever do that.â
On negotiating with Democrats: âWe can fix [healthcare]⌠but Iâm not going to do it by extortion. Iâm not going to do it by being extorted by the Democrats who have lost their way⌠Itâs going to get solved. Eventually, theyâre going to have to vote â I think they have to. And if they donât vote, thatâs their problem. I think we should do the nuclear option⌠itâs called ending the filibuster.â
On illegal immigration: âThe policy has to be âyou came into the country illegally; youâre going to go out.â However, youâve also seen, youâre going to go out, weâre going to work with you, and youâre going to come back into our country legally.â
On the next three years: âWe have been acknowledged as having the greatest nine months in the history of the presidency â so if I can keep that going, Iâll be very happy.â
On the Supreme Courtâs tariffs case: âBecause of tariffs, we have the highest stock market weâve ever had. Because of tariffs, 401(k)s are at the highest level â and this is millions of people â than weâve ever had⌠I think itâs the most important subject discussed by the Supreme Court in 100 years.â
On âretributionâ: âItâs the opposite. I think Iâve been very mild mannered. Youâre looking at a man who was indicted many times and I had to beat the rap otherwise I couldnât have run for President. They tried to get me not to run for President by going after me and by indicting me!â
On nuclear weapons testing: âWe have more nuclear weapons than any other country. I think we should do something about denuclearization⌠weâre the only country that doesnât test â and I donât want to be the only country that doesnât test.â
On the ceasefire in Gaza: âItâs very solid. You hear about Hamas, but Hamas could be taken out immediately if they donât behave. They know that. If they donât behave, theyâre going to be taken out immediately.â
On crime in Democrat-run cities: âIf you had to send in the Army or send in the Marines, Iâd do that in a heartbeat⌠but I havenât chosen to do it because I havenât felt we need it.â
On China: âItâs like everybody else. Weâre a threat to them, too⌠This is a very competitive world, especially when it comes to the China and the U.S. Weâre always watching them and theyâre always watching us. In the meantime, I think we get along very well, and I think we can be bigger, better, and stronger by working with them as opposed to just knocking them out.â
On Venezuela: âTheyâve been treating us very badly â not only on drugs, theyâve dumped hundreds of thousands of people into our country that we didnât want. People from prisons; they emptied their prisons into our country. They emptied their mental institutions and their insane asylums into the United States of America.â
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit rules for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are in effect as of November 2025. Due to federal law changes, New York Stateâs waiver of work requirements for certain able-bodied adults without dependent children (ABAWD) will end as of November 2025. As a result of this federal action, as of November 2025, those subject to ABAWD time limit â including new groups of individuals subject to these rules â must comply with certain work requirements to keep SNAP benefits for more than 3 months. The information below explains who is subject to these work requirements and how they can meet the requirement to maintain SNAP benefits. SNAP recipients will be notified by their local social services district if they are subject to these requirements. If you believe you should be exempt from these requirements based on program rules or if you are meeting the work requirement, you should inform your local district worker.
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Rules
Who is an ABAWD?
An ABAWD is a person who is:
Aged 18 to 64,
Not living with a child under 14, and
Able to work.
Does everyone need to follow the ABAWD work rules?
No. You might not have to follow the ABAWD work rules, if:
You are younger than age 18, or age 65 or older,
Someone in your household is younger than age 14,
You receive disability benefits from a public or private source, such as Veterans Affairs or New York State disability benefits,
You are pregnant,
You are unable to work at least 80 hours per month because of a physical or mental health reason,
You are an Indian, Urban Indian, California Indian, or other Indian eligible for the Indian Health Services, or
You are excused from the General SNAP Work Rules because you are:
A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of the household or who is in school or in an employment program at least half-time,
Unable to work because of a mental or physical health reason,
Taking care of a child younger than age 6,
Taking care of an incapacitated person,
Meeting the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits,
Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
Enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time (students may be subject to other eligibility rules),
Already working at least 30 hours per week,
Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more per week, OR
An SSI applicant or recipient.
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household should be excused from following the ABAWD rules.What is the ABAWD time limit?
If you are an ABAWD, you must meet the ABAWD work rules to continue receiving SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a 3-year period. This is also known as the ABAWD time limit. Once you use up the 3 months and you are not meeting the ABAWD work rules, you will lose your SNAP benefits. In New York, the current 3-year period started on October 1, 2023, and will end on September 30, 2026.How can you meet the ABAWD work rules?
Paid or unpaid work for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month)Examples include:
Having a job where you work at least 20 hours per week or earn at least $217.50 per week, even if you work less than 20 hours per week.
Doing in-kind work by exchanging your services for something other than money for at least 80 hours per month (for example, doing building maintenance in exchange for a reduction in rent).
Learn job skills, approved by the social services district for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month), that can help you earn more money.Examples include:
Doing job searches, workshops on resumÊ writing, or other training approved by your local district. Some of these activities can be done online at websites like JobZone and Virtual Career Center.
Job skills training programs, English language instruction, or educational activities â including college courses, certifications, or credential programs â that help you prepare for work.
Community Service/Volunteer
The number of hours you would need to participate in community service or volunteer work is based on your SNAP benefit divided by the state minimum wage. For example, if you get $300 in SNAP and the state minimum wage in your area is $16.50, then you have to complete 18 hours of community service or volunteer work each month. ($300 á $16.50 = 18 hours).
Volunteer or do a Work Experience Program assignment with local nonprofit or public service organizations (such as food pantries, parks, or libraries).
Keep Your SNAP Benefits Fact Sheet â This flyer helps SNAP recipients and organizations that work with them. It raises awareness and promotes compliance with ABAWD work rules.
ABAWD Medical Statement â This form will help SNAP recipients document that they are exempt from the ABAWD time limit because of a physical or mental health reason, pregnancy, or participation in substance use treatment
Monthly WIOA Job Search Activity Record â Print Ready â This form will help ABAWDs keep track of their job search activities under WIOA (Use this form if you are completing the record by hand.)
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you are already doing one of these things. Also, if your work hours including paid and unpaid work drop below 80 hours per month, you must let the local district know within 10 days after the end of the month.
Remember: Tell your local district if you earn more than $217.50/week before taxes (even if it is less than 20 hours/week of work). If you do, you are exempt from the ABAWD work rules.What if you have a good reason for not following these ABAWD work rules?
You may receive SNAP benefits beyond the 3-month time limit if you have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or you show that you should be excused from following the ABAWD work rules because you meet one or more of the conditions to be excused. Good cause reasons for not following the rules include issues that a person cannot control, such as getting sick or having a household emergency. These are some examples of good cause reasons but there are others, too. If you claim to have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or believe you should be excused from following the rules, you must provide proof if the district asks you to do so. If you believe that you have a good cause reason for not meeting the ABAWD rules, you should call the Local District Contact Number to provide proof.If you lose your SNAP benefits, how can you get them back?
If you lose your SNAP benefits, because you did not meet the ABAWD work rules, you should call your Local District Contact Number. The district will explain what you need to do to start getting SNAP benefits again. The district must offer you help in meeting the ABAWD work rules to start receiving SNAP benefits again.
General Work Rules for SNAP Recipients
Some people getting SNAP age 16 to 59 must follow the general SNAP work rules. Some adults getting SNAP age 18 to age 64 must also meet the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rules. SNAP work rules and ABAWD rules can be met by participating in SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) work activities. Many people do not have to meet the SNAP work rules because they are excused. Below, you can learn if you are excused from the general SNAP work rules and the ABAWD rules or how to meet them if you are not excused.
General SNAP Work Rules
What do you need to do to follow the general SNAP work rules?
You must follow these general SNAP work rules to keep your SNAP benefits:
Accept any job offer you receive, unless there is a good reason you canât.
If you have a job, donât quit your job or choose to work less than 30 hours each week without having a good reason, such as getting sick, being discriminated against, or not getting paid.Note:Â You will not lose your SNAP benefits if your hours fall below 30 hours per week and you are still earning $217.50 per week (30 times the federal minimum wage).
Tell us about your job and how much you are working.
Participate in SNAP E&T work activities if assigned by the district.
Does everyone need to follow these General SNAP Work Rules?
No. You may not have to follow these rules if you are:
Younger than age 16, or age 60 years or older (Please read the important note below about people aged 60 to 64),
A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of the household or who is in school or in an employment program at least half-time,
Unable to work because of a mental or physical health reason,
Taking care of a child younger than age 6,
Taking care of an incapacitated person,
Meeting the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits,
Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
Enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time (students may be subject to other eligibility rules),
Already working at least 30 hours per week,
Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more per week, OR
An SSI applicant or recipient.
Important: If you are between 60 and 64, you donât have to follow the general SNAP work rules. However, if none of the other conditions listed above apply to you, you may still have to follow the ABAWD rules. Find out if you are excused from the ABAWD rules.What if you think you should be excused from the general SNAP work rules?
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household should be excused from following the work rules.What if you have a good cause reason for not following the general SNAP work rules?
Good cause reasons for not following the general SNAP work rules include things that you cannot control such as getting sick, facing a household emergency, or not having childcare. These are some examples of good cause reasons but there are others, too. You must provide proof of any good cause reason when asked by the local district. If you believe you should be excused from following the general SNAP work rules, you must also provide proof, if asked by the district. For example, the district might ask for a statement from your doctor or other documents showing you had a good cause reason for not following the rules or should be excused.
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household has a good cause reason for not following the work rules.
SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) Assignments
What are SNAP E&T assignments?
The SNAP E&T program can help you and people in your household gain skills and find work. If you are assigned to SNAP E&T, you may be required to participate in supervised job search, job readiness activities, work experience, job skills training, vocational training, educational training, or other work activities. SNAP E&T participants receive case management services to help them reach their employment goals. If the district assigns you or someone in your household to participate in SNAP E&T, they cannot ask you to participate in work activities and/or employment to meet the SNAP work rules for more than 30 hours per week (no more than 120 hours per month). A person may choose to participate in work activities for more than 30 hours per week but cannot be required to do so.
Note: People who are also receiving Temporary Assistance (TA) benefits may be required to participate in work activities for up to 40 hours per week. The assigned work activity for these people is generally a combined TA and SNAP work assignment. A person who receives TA and SNAP and does not comply with assigned work activities willfully and without a good cause reason may be subject to a TA work sanction. However, if the person participates in the assigned work activities for at least 30 hours per week (120 hours per month), the householdâs SNAP benefits will not be affected.What if you have costs from participating in the SNAP E&T program?
Your local district will pay costs for you or people in your household that are necessary and reasonable to participate in a SNAP E&T activity. These costs may include:
Transportation
Childcare
Personal safety items or equipment
Other reasonable required costs, such as tools, books, and uniforms
If the district cannot pay your costs to participate in a SNAP E&T assignment, you will be excused from participating. If the district tells you or someone in your household that you must participate in a SNAP E&T work activity, the person must participate. If you do not participate in the SNAP E&T assignment or you quit a job willfully and without a good cause reason, you may lose your SNAP benefits.What happens if you donât follow these general SNAP work rules?
You may lose your SNAP benefits if you donât follow these work rules and you donât have a good cause reason. If you do not follow the general SNAP work rules or you do not participate in a SNAP E&T assignment, you will be sent a Conciliation Notification. You will be offered a meeting with the district to explain why you did not follow the rules.
If you receive a Conciliation Notification, you must contact the local district by the date on the Conciliation Notification to explain why you did not follow the work rules. If the district decides you had a good cause reason, your householdâs SNAP benefits will stay the same. If you did not have a good cause reason, the district will offer you a chance to participate in the same activity you did not complete in order to not lose SNAP benefits. If the district decides that the same activity is not available or is no longer a good fit for you, you may be asked to complete another activity. If you do not complete the activity or prove they had a good cause reason, your householdâs SNAP benefits may go down or stop.How long will you lose your SNAP benefits if you donât follow these general SNAP work rules or do not complete a SNAP E&T assignment?
The first time you do not follow these rules, you canât get SNAP benefits for one month.
The second time you do not follow these rules, you canât get SNAP benefits for three months.
The third time, and any additional time after that, you do not follow these rules, you canât get SNAP benefits for six months.
If you lose your SNAP benefits because you did not follow the general SNAP work rules or did not complete a SNAP E&T assignment, you must be allowed to start receiving SNAP benefits before the end of the time period noted above if you prove you should be excused from following the general SNAP work rules.Where can you find additional resources?
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted a statewide push to strengthen law enforcementâs response to domestic violence, anchored by a new 16-hour âDomestic Incident Responseâ module that will be mandatory for all police recruits beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Developed by DCJS with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and approved by the Municipal Police Training Council, the curriculum adds lethality assessment, trauma-informed interviewing, reality-based scenarios, guidance on tech-facilitated abuse, and use of digital evidence to the 700-plus-hour Basic Course for Police Officers. The initiative complements STRIVE, where nearly 1,000 professionals across 17 counties have received training in the past six months, backed by a record $20.2 million investment and more than $300,000 for technical assistanceâmeasures Hochul says are designed to protect survivors, support families, and improve investigations and prosecutions.
Governor Kathy Hochul Highlights Statewide Progress in Strengthening Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence and Better Protecting Survivors and Families
Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted progress in strengthening the law enforcement response to domestic violence and better protecting survivors and families through significant improvements to training for police recruits and current law enforcement professionals. Beginning January 1, 2026, all recruits must complete a new Domestic Incident Response section of the required Basic Course for Police Officers, a major step forward in how new officers are trained to respond to intimate partner and gender-based violence. In the past six months, nearly 1,000 professionals representing law enforcement agencies, district attorney offices, and probation departments in each of the 17 counties participating in STRIVE (Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence) have received training to implement trauma-informed, survivor-centered strategies.
âAs the daughter of a domestic violence survivor, I know firsthand that the scars of domestic violence run deep; thatâs why Iâm committed to strengthening resources from law enforcement to support services so we can better protect survivors,â Governor Hochul said. âWeâve made significant progress â allocating record levels of funding for victim services and law enforcement, and empowering district attorneys to take on violent offenders â but our work is far from finished. Iâll never stop fighting to protect families and ensure every New Yorker is safe.â
The 16-hour Domestic Incident Response curriculum incorporates the latest research and practices in domestic violence response. It emphasizes survivor-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed policing, reflecting the principles that guide New Yorkâs statewide approach to preventing and responding to domestic and gender-based violence. The curriculum also:
introduces lethality assessment training to help officers recognize indicators of escalating or potentially lethal violence;
features interactive exercises, decision-based exercises and reality-based scenarios that prepare recruits for the complex nature of domestic incident calls;
teaches trauma-informed interviewing techniques to help officers understand how trauma can affect survivors;
addresses technology-facilitated abuse, such as cyberstalking and GPS tracking; and
provides guidance on documenting and using digital evidence to strengthen investigations and prosecutions.
Developed by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) in partnership with the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, the curriculum was approved by the Stateâs Municipal Police Training Council last month. Among other responsibilities, the Council sets basic training requirements for police, peace, and correction officers. The Basic Course for Police Officers consists of more than 700 hours of training on topics ranging from cultural diversity to crisis intervention, and recruits must successfully complete it within one year of appointment.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, âThe new Domestic Incident Response curriculum and our growing STRIVE initiative reflect a clear evolution in how New York approaches domestic violence. Under Governor Hochulâs leadership, weâre equipping officers with the tools to respond with empathy and awareness, and helping communities build survivor-centered systems that protect families and promote long-term change.â
New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, âOur goal is to make sure everyone impacted by violence has access to the resources they need and deserve no matter who they reach out to for help. For survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse who choose to report to law enforcement, we need to do everything we can to ensure that the criminal justice system has the training and resources needed to respond appropriately. This project is part of the Governorâs continued commitment to support the safety and healing of those impacted by domestic violence.â
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence General Counsel Jara Traina said, âWhen survivors call the police for assistance during a domestic violence incident, they deserve a response that is survivor-centered and trauma-informed. Be it through programs like STRIVE, revamping trainings for law enforcement, or improvements to gun and discovery reform laws, Governor Hochul has made it clear that New York is committed to combating domestic violence and holding those who harm accountable. OPDV is proud to have taken the lead in writing and training first responders on this new curriculum. We are thankful for the Governorâs leadership, and for collaborations like this one with DCJS that further our mission.â
This updated training complements the STRIVE initiative, in which Governor Hochul has invested a record $20.2 million to improve how communities address domestic violence by fostering collaboration among police, prosecutors, probation departments, and service providers. In the last six months, nearly 1,000 professionals have been trained by subject-matter experts supported by more than $300,000 in STRIVE funding. That technical assistance training is ongoing, and DCJS field advisors are working directly with STRIVE-funded agencies and organizations to strengthen local implementation and build sustainable, coordinated community responses.
