Starting November 1, 2025, new SNAP work requirements went into effect. These rules may affect you if you are between 18 and 64 years old and don’t have children under 14 in your home. This guide will help you understand the changes, find out if you are exempt, and learn what you need to do to keep your benefits.
Important: Most people have more options than they realize. Even if you can’t work 20 hours a week, you may qualify for an exemption. Read this guide carefully to understand your options.
What Changed and Why It Matters
The biggest change is that more adults are now counted as Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). The age range has expanded from 18-54 to 18-64 years old. This means millions more people must now follow work-related rules to keep their SNAP benefits.
Key fact: If you don’t meet the requirements and don’t qualify for an exemption, you may only receive SNAP benefits for 3 months in a 36-month period.
Am I Considered an ABAWD?
You are considered an ABAWD if you meet ALL of these conditions:
- You are between 18 and 64 years old
- You do not have a child under age 14 living with you
- You are considered physically and mentally able to work
Note: The dependent child age changed from 18 to 14. If you have a child who is 14 or older, you may now be subject to ABAWD rules even if you weren’t before.
The Core Requirement: 80 Hours Per Month
If you are an ABAWD, you must complete 80 hours per month of approved activity to continue receiving SNAP benefits beyond 3 months.
What Counts as Approved Activity?
The good news is that ‘approved activity’ doesn’t just mean having a job. You have several options:
- Work for pay: Any paid employment counts, including part-time jobs, gig work, or freelancing
- Approved job training programs: Employment and training programs recognized by your state
- College enrollment: Attending college more than half-time (usually 6+ credit hours)
- Volunteering: Unpaid work for a nonprofit or government organization (must be verifiable)
Important for gig workers and freelancers: Your eligibility may depend on your monthly gross income rather than hours worked. Contact your caseworker to understand how your work is counted.
Understanding the 3-Month Time Limit
If you are an ABAWD and don’t meet the 80-hour requirement or qualify for an exemption, you can receive SNAP for only 3 months in any 36-month period.
Key Facts About Countable Months
- Countable months do not have to be consecutive. For example, you could use SNAP in January, skip February, use it again in March and April, and that would count as 3 months.
- Your countable months begin when you are notified. The clock doesn’t start until your state officially notifies you that you need to meet ABAWD requirements.
- You must receive 10 days notice. The state must notify you at least 10 days before taking any action to reduce or stop your benefits.
What to do: Pay close attention to all mail from your state SNAP office. Do not ignore any letters. These letters will tell you what you need to do and when you need to do it.
When Do These Rules Take Effect?
According to the USDA, these changes became effective on July 4, 2025. However, states are implementing them at different speeds.
- Most states: Began checking for compliance on November 1, 2025
- Recent recertification: If you just recertified your benefits before November 1, 2025, you may not need to take action until your next recertification (usually in 6-12 months)
- Some states may move faster: Your state may apply these rules sooner, so watch your mail
Important: The state must give you formal written notice before applying these rules to you. They must also give you a chance to submit information or verify exemptions.
Who Is Exempt From These Requirements?
Many people qualify for exemptions. Some exemptions are automatic, while others require you to submit paperwork. If you qualify for an exemption, the 3-month time limit does not apply to you.
Quick Reference: Exemptions at a Glance
| Usually Automatic | Requires Paperwork |
|---|---|
| • Under age 18 • Age 65 or older • Pregnant • Living with child under 14 • Receiving disability benefits • Obviously disabled • Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian | • Unable to work 20 hrs/week • Unpaid caregiver for relative • College student (more than half-time) • Drug/alcohol treatment program • Earning enough weekly income • Meeting work rules for another program |
Automatic Exemptions: You May Not Need to Do Anything
Your state can usually verify these exemptions on its own. In most cases, you do not need to submit extra paperwork:
- Age-based exemptions: Under 18 or 65 and older
- Pregnancy: You are pregnant (regardless of trimester)
- Living with a child: You live with and care for a child under age 14
- Receiving disability benefits: You already receive Social Security Disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or VA disability benefits
- Obvious disability: Your condition is clearly disabling and the state can verify it without additional documentation
- Tribal membership: You are an Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian
Exemptions That Require Paperwork
These exemptions require you to provide proof to your caseworker:
Physical or Mental Inability to Work
This is the most important exemption for many people to understand. Federal rules say you are exempt if you are physically or mentally unable to work 20 hours per week on an ongoing basis. You do not need to be receiving Social Security disability benefits to qualify for this exemption.
Key point: The standard for this exemption is much easier to meet than the Social Security disability standard. You don’t need to be totally unable to work. You just need to be unable to work 20 hours per week on an ongoing basis.
Examples of conditions that may qualify:
- Chronic pain conditions that limit your ability to stand or sit for long periods
- Mental health conditions like severe anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder
- Cognitive conditions that affect memory, concentration, or processing
- Physical disabilities that limit mobility or dexterity
- Chronic fatigue or conditions that cause unpredictable symptoms
- Any combination of conditions that together prevent you from working 20 hours per week
What you need: Documentation from a medical provider (doctor, therapist, nurse practitioner, psychologist, social worker, etc.) explaining why you cannot work 20 hours per week on an ongoing basis.
Other Exemptions Requiring Documentation
- Caregiver exemption: You are the primary unpaid caregiver for a relative who is incapacitated. You may need a statement from the person’s doctor and proof of your relationship.
- Student exemption: You are attending college or vocational school more than half-time. You need enrollment verification from your school.
- Treatment program exemption: You are participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program. You need verification from the program.
- Income exemption: You earn at least 30 times the federal minimum wage per week (currently $217.50 per week). You need pay stubs or other income verification.
- Other work program exemption: You are already meeting work requirements for another program like TANF. Your caseworker can verify this.
How to Get a Medical Exemption
If you believe you qualify for a medical exemption, follow these steps:
- Contact your SNAP caseworker. Ask for your state’s ABAWD medical exemption form. Every state has one. If your caseworker doesn’t know what you’re talking about, ask to speak to a supervisor.
- Make an appointment with your medical provider. This can be your doctor, therapist, nurse practitioner, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other licensed healthcare provider.
- Explain what you need. Tell your provider: ‘I need documentation that I am unable to work 20 hours per week on an ongoing basis because of my physical or mental health condition.’ Bring the exemption form with you.
- Submit the completed form on time. Follow any instructions your caseworker gave you about how and when to submit the form. Keep a copy for your records.
- Follow up. If you don’t hear back within 10 days, contact your caseworker to make sure they received and processed your exemption request.
Important reminder: If you receive Social Security disability benefits or VA disability benefits, your exemption may be granted automatically. However, if you’ve applied for disability but haven’t been approved yet, you still need to submit a medical exemption form for your SNAP benefits.
What to Do If You Don’t Qualify for an Exemption
If you are an ABAWD and don’t qualify for an exemption, you have options to meet the 80-hour monthly requirement:
Option 1: Find Employment or Increase Your Hours
- Any paid work counts toward your 80 hours, including part-time jobs
- Gig work and freelancing may count based on your gross income
- If you work variable hours, keep good records of your hours each month
Option 2: Participate in a Job Training or Employment Program
- Contact your local workforce development center or American Job Center
- Ask about SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs
- These programs often provide job training, education, and job search assistance
Option 3: Enroll in College or Vocational Training
- Attending college or vocational school more than half-time counts toward your requirement
- Usually means at least 6 credit hours per semester or quarter
- Check with your school’s financial aid office about additional support
Option 4: Volunteer
- Unpaid work for a nonprofit organization or government agency can count
- Must be verifiable (the organization must be willing to document your hours)
- Examples: food banks, community centers, libraries, schools, hospitals
Important Resources and Contact Information
Your State SNAP Office
Your first point of contact is always your SNAP caseworker. They can answer questions specific to your situation and help you understand your state’s procedures.
If you don’t know who your caseworker is: Call your state’s SNAP hotline or visit your local SNAP office. The number should be on any letters you’ve received about your benefits.
USDA SNAP Information
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service provides official information about SNAP:
- Website: www.fns.usda.gov/snap
- SNAP hotline: 1-800-221-5689
Legal Assistance
If you believe your benefits have been wrongly denied or terminated:
- Contact your local Legal Aid office (free legal services for low-income individuals)
- Find Legal Aid: www.lawhelp.org or call 1-888-534-5243
- You have the right to appeal any decision about your SNAP benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’m 62 years old. Do these rules apply to me?
A: Yes, if you don’t have a child under 14 and don’t qualify for another exemption. The age range is now 18-64, so people in their early 60s are affected. However, if you turn 65 during your certification period, you will be exempt.
Q: What if I have a disability but haven’t been approved for Social Security disability?
A: You can still get a medical exemption from SNAP work requirements. Ask your caseworker for the medical exemption form and have your doctor fill it out. The SNAP disability standard is different from (and easier to meet than) the Social Security standard.
Q: Do I need to work exactly 20 hours per week?
A: The requirement is 80 hours per month, not 20 hours per week. You could work 20 hours one week and 10 hours another week, as long as you hit 80 hours total for the month. Keep careful records of your hours.
Q: Can I combine activities to meet the 80-hour requirement?
A: Yes! You could work 40 hours, volunteer 20 hours, and attend a training program for 20 hours, and all of that would count toward your 80 hours.
Q: What happens if I miss the 80-hour requirement for one month?
A: That month will count as one of your 3 countable months. If you meet the requirement the next month, that month won’t count. You can use your 3 countable months at any time over a 36-month period.
Q: My child just turned 14. Does this affect me?
A: Possibly. The dependent child age changed from 18 to 14. If your only child is now 14 or older, you may be subject to ABAWD rules. Contact your caseworker to verify your status.
Q: I just recertified my benefits. When do these rules apply to me?
A: If you recertified before November 1, 2025, the new rules typically won’t apply until your next recertification (usually in 6-12 months). However, your state must notify you in writing before applying these rules to you. Watch your mail.
Q: Can my benefits be cut off without warning?
A: No. Federal law requires your state to give you written notice at least 10 days before taking any adverse action on your account. You must also be given an opportunity to submit exemption documentation.
Take Action Now
Don’t wait to take action. Even if you haven’t received a letter yet, it’s smart to prepare now:
- Determine if you’re an ABAWD. Review the criteria in this guide.
- Check if you qualify for any exemptions. Review both the automatic and paperwork-required exemptions.
- If you need a medical exemption, act now. Contact your caseworker for the form and schedule an appointment with your medical provider.
- If you need to meet the 80-hour requirement, explore your options. Look into employment, training programs, volunteering, or education.
- Keep all documentation. Save copies of all forms, letters, and communications about your benefits.
Remember: These rules can seem overwhelming, but most people have more options than they realize. Don’t assume you won’t qualify for an exemption. Talk to your caseworker, explore all your options, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from Legal Aid if you need it.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, contact your SNAP caseworker or a legal aid attorney.