If you receive SNAP benefits and are between 18 and 64 years old, you may be subject to work requirements that limit how long you can receive food assistance. These rules, known as the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) requirements, have changed significantly since 2025 and vary by location depending on whether your state or county has an active waiver. Understanding the rules that apply to you is the first step toward keeping your benefits or regaining them if they were cut.
What Are SNAP Work Requirements?
SNAP has two separate sets of work-related rules. The first is a general work requirement that applies to most adults. The second is the ABAWD time limit, which is stricter and applies specifically to adults without dependents who are considered able to work.
Under the general work requirement, most adults ages 16 to 59 must register for work, accept a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quit a job without good cause. Failure to meet the general requirement can result in benefit loss for the individual, though the rest of the household may continue receiving SNAP.
The ABAWD time limit is more consequential. Under this rule, adults who qualify as ABAWDs can only receive SNAP for three months out of any 36-month period unless they meet a work or training requirement. After those three months, benefits stop until the person either starts meeting the requirement or qualifies for an exemption.
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Changed ABAWD Rules
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, made the most significant changes to SNAP work requirements in decades. Several key rules changed.
Age range expanded. Before 2025, ABAWD rules applied to adults ages 18 to 54. Under the new law, the age range expanded to 18 through 64, meaning adults ages 55 to 64 who were previously exempt must now meet work requirements or face the three-month time limit.
Caregiver exception narrowed. Previously, any adult caring for a dependent child under 18 was exempt from ABAWD rules. The new law limits this exemption to adults caring for a child under 14 in the household.
Waiver criteria tightened. States can still apply for ABAWD waivers for areas with high unemployment, but the criteria are now stricter. Waivers require documented unemployment rates above 10 percent. Many waivers approved under older "lack of sufficient jobs" criteria were terminated.
Most states began enforcing the new requirements starting December 1, 2025, though some states implemented changes earlier in November 2025.
Who Must Meet ABAWD Work Requirements
You are subject to the ABAWD time limit if all of the following apply:
- You are between 18 and 64 years old
- You are physically and mentally able to work
- You do not have a dependent child under 14 living in your SNAP household
- You are not pregnant
- You do not qualify for another exemption (see below)
- You do not live in an area with an active ABAWD waiver
ABAWD Exemptions: Who Is Not Subject to the Time Limit
Many adults are exempt from ABAWD rules even if they have no dependents. You do not have to meet the work requirement if any of the following apply:
| Exemption Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Physical or mental health condition | Cannot work due to a documented limitation |
| Pregnant | Currently pregnant |
| Caregiver for a child under 14 | Child lives in the SNAP household |
| Age 17 or younger | Not yet 18 |
| Age 65 or older | Past the upper age threshold |
| Foster care youth | Was in foster care at age 18 and is now 24 or younger |
| Homeless, transitional housing | Staying in a shelter, halfway house, or temporarily with family for 90 days or less |
| Already working enough | Earning wages equal to at least the federal minimum wage times 80 hours per month (approximately $217.50 per week based on $7.25/hour federal minimum) |
| Enrolled in a qualifying work program | Participating in SNAP E&T, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, or other approved training |
| Living in a waived area | State or county has an active ABAWD geographic waiver |
If none of these exemptions apply to you, you must meet the 80-hour monthly work requirement to keep your SNAP benefits beyond three months in a 36-month period.
How to Meet the 80-Hour Monthly Requirement
The 80 hours per month can come from any combination of qualifying activities:
Paid employment. Any paid job counts. You can work one job or multiple jobs, as long as the combined hours total at least 80 per month (roughly 20 hours per week).
Unpaid work or work for goods. Work does not have to be for cash wages. Work in exchange for goods or services, or work as part of a bartering arrangement, can count.
Job training or education. Enrollment in a vocational training program, a GED program, or certain community college courses can satisfy the requirement if the program is approved by your state SNAP agency.
SNAP Employment and Training (E&T). Every state offers a SNAP E&T program. These programs provide job search assistance, skills training, and sometimes financial support for work-related costs like transportation or child care. Participating in an approved E&T activity for 80 hours per month counts toward the requirement.
Volunteer or community service. Volunteering at a food pantry, library, park, or other nonprofit or public service organization counts. The required volunteer hours are calculated based on your SNAP benefit divided by your state minimum wage. For example, if you receive $300 per month in SNAP and your state minimum wage is $15 per hour, you would need to volunteer approximately 20 hours per month.
Workfare. Some states have workfare programs where SNAP recipients perform community service or government work in exchange for their benefits. Hours worked through an approved workfare program count toward the 80-hour requirement.
If your work hours drop below 80 per month, you are generally required to notify your local SNAP office within 10 days of the end of that month.
What Happens if You Do Not Meet the Requirement
If you are subject to the ABAWD time limit and do not meet the 80-hour monthly work requirement, you can only receive SNAP for three countable months in any rolling 36-month period. Once you have used your three months, benefits stop.
To regain SNAP benefits after being cut off, you must either:
- Meet the 80-hour monthly work requirement for a continuous 30-day period, then reapply
- Qualify for an exemption (new health condition, new dependent child, or other qualifying circumstance)
- Move to an area covered by an active ABAWD waiver
The 36-month clock resets after each full 36-month period, and some months do not count toward the three-month limit, such as months when you were exempt.
ABAWD Waivers by State: How Geographic Waivers Work
States and localities can apply to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service for ABAWD waivers that suspend the time limit for residents in specific areas. Before 2025, waivers were available for areas that either had high unemployment or lacked a sufficient number of jobs. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the "lack of sufficient jobs" basis for waivers was eliminated. Now, waivers are only available for areas where the unemployment rate exceeds 10 percent.
Under updated rules, states may qualify by showing:
- A 12-month average unemployment rate above 10 percent
- A 3-month average unemployment rate above 10 percent
- A historical seasonal unemployment rate above 10 percent in the waiver period
- Alaska and Hawaii have special provisions available through 2028
Waivers can cover an entire state (statewide waiver) or specific counties or labor market areas (geographic waiver). A statewide waiver means no resident of that state faces the three-month time limit, regardless of their work status. A geographic waiver protects only residents of the covered areas.
After FNS directed states to terminate waivers approved under the old "lack of sufficient jobs" criteria, the number of active waivers declined significantly. However, litigation has complicated enforcement. In April 2026, USDA issued guidance reinstating SNAP benefits for some ABAWDs after courts challenged the early termination of certain waivers. Waiver status can change quickly, and residents should verify current coverage with their local SNAP office or state agency.
State-by-State Snapshot
Because waivers change frequently, the table below reflects general waiver availability patterns based on unemployment rates as of early 2026. Always confirm current status with your state SNAP agency.
| State | Generally Has Had Geographic Waivers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Yes | Special waiver provisions through 2028 |
| Arizona | Partial (some counties) | High unemployment rural counties may qualify |
| California | Yes (historically statewide or broad coverage) | Waivers narrowed under new criteria |
| Colorado | Partial | Some rural areas qualify |
| Florida | Partial | Some rural counties qualify |
| Georgia | Partial | Limited to high-unemployment areas |
| Hawaii | Yes | Special waiver provisions through 2028 |
| Illinois | Ended November 2025 | Statewide waiver expired; now enforcing fully |
| Massachusetts | Partial | Urban areas have lower unemployment |
| Michigan | Partial | Some areas qualify based on unemployment |
| Minnesota | Partial | Some counties covered historically |
| Mississippi | Partial | High-unemployment areas may qualify |
| New Mexico | Partial | Some areas qualify |
| New York | Ended March 2026 | ABAWD rules now apply statewide as of March 1, 2026 |
| Oregon | Partial | Some areas covered |
| Puerto Rico | Does not receive SNAP (receives block grant) | Different rules apply |
| Texas | Partial | Some rural counties |
| West Virginia | Partial | High-unemployment counties may qualify |
Note: This table is a general guide. Waiver status changes quarterly based on updated unemployment data. Check the USDA FNS ABAWD Waivers page or your state SNAP agency for current coverage.
How to Check Whether You Are in a Waived Area
You can find current waiver information through several channels:
- Contact your local SNAP office. Caseworkers can tell you whether your county or labor market area is currently waived.
- Visit your state SNAP agency website. Most state SNAP agencies post current ABAWD requirements and any active waivers.
- Check the USDA FNS website. The USDA maintains a page at fns.usda.gov listing ABAWD waivers by fiscal year, updated quarterly.
SNAP Benefit Amounts in 2025 to 2026
Whether or not you are subject to work requirements, SNAP benefit amounts depend on your household size and income. The table below shows maximum monthly SNAP allotments for fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 through September 2026) for the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit (FY 2026) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $292 |
| 2 people | $536 |
| 3 people | $768 |
| 4 people | $975 |
| 5 people | $1,158 |
| 6 people | $1,390 |
| 7 people | $1,536 |
| 8 people | $1,756 |
| Each additional person | Add approximately $220 |
Alaska and Hawaii have higher maximum allotments due to the higher cost of living in those states.
Who Still Qualifies for SNAP Regardless of Work Requirements
Work requirements only affect whether you can continue receiving SNAP beyond three months if you are an ABAWD. They do not determine initial eligibility. To qualify for SNAP at all, your household must meet income and resource limits.
For the 48 contiguous states and D.C., gross monthly income must generally be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). For a single-person household in 2025 to 2026, that is approximately $1,632 per month. Net income (after allowable deductions) must be at or below 100 percent FPL.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit (130% FPL) | Net Monthly Income Limit (100% FPL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,632 | $1,255 |
| 2 | $2,215 | $1,704 |
| 3 | $2,798 | $2,152 |
| 4 | $3,380 | $2,600 |
| 5 | $3,963 | $3,049 |
| 6 | $4,546 | $3,497 |
| 7 | $5,129 | $3,946 |
| 8 | $5,712 | $4,394 |
Most households with elderly (60+) or disabled members are only subject to the net income test, not the gross income test.
Steps to Keep Your SNAP Benefits Under Work Requirements
- Determine if you are an ABAWD. Check your age, health status, dependent children (under 14), and whether you live in a waived area.
- Find qualifying work or training. If you are subject to the time limit, secure at least 80 hours per month of paid work, training, or approved volunteer activity before your three countable months are used.
- Contact your SNAP E&T program. Your state SNAP agency must offer employment and training services. These programs are free and can help you find qualifying activities.
- Keep records. Save pay stubs, employer letters, training enrollment confirmation, or volunteer hour logs. You may need to provide proof to your caseworker.
- Report changes promptly. If your work hours drop below 80 per month, notify your SNAP office within 10 days after the end of that month.
- Check your exemption status periodically. Life changes, such as a new health condition, a pregnancy, or a child moving into your household, may make you exempt.
- Request a fair hearing if you disagree. If you believe your benefits were cut incorrectly, you have the right to request a hearing through your state agency.
Use our free benefits screener to check your current SNAP eligibility and see what other programs you may qualify for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ABAWD stand for?
ABAWD stands for Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents. It refers to SNAP recipients who are physically and mentally able to work and do not have a dependent child under 14 living in their household. ABAWDs face a three-month time limit on SNAP unless they meet an 80-hour monthly work or training requirement.
What is the ABAWD age range after the 2025 law change?
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4, 2025, the ABAWD age range expanded from 18 to 54 up to 18 to 64. Adults ages 55 through 64 who were previously exempt are now subject to the work requirement and three-month time limit.
Can I still get SNAP if I do not meet the work requirement?
Yes, but only for a limited time. If you are subject to the ABAWD time limit and do not meet the 80-hour monthly requirement, you can receive SNAP for up to three months in any 36-month period. After those three months, benefits stop until you meet the requirement or qualify for an exemption.
How do I know if my area has an ABAWD waiver?
Contact your local SNAP office or visit your state SNAP agency website. The USDA also maintains a list of approved ABAWD waivers at fns.usda.gov, updated quarterly. Waivers cover only specific counties or labor market areas in many states, so your location matters.
Does working part time count toward the 80-hour requirement?
Yes. Part-time work counts as long as your total hours from all qualifying activities, including paid work, training, and volunteering, reach 80 hours in the month. There is no requirement that the work be full time or from a single employer.
What happens if I lose my job during a month when I was meeting the requirement?
If your hours drop below 80 in a given month, that month counts as one of your three countable months. Report the change to your SNAP office within 10 days. If you find new work or training quickly, you may avoid using additional countable months in future months.
Can I get an extension beyond three months if I am actively looking for work?
Job searching alone does not satisfy the ABAWD work requirement. You must actually work, participate in a training program, or complete approved volunteer hours. If your state's SNAP E&T program has a waiting list or cannot provide a placement, your state may have an obligation to count certain months differently, but this depends on state-specific rules and available resources.
Did any states lose their ABAWD waivers in 2025?
Yes. Several states that previously had statewide or broad geographic waivers saw them terminated or narrowed after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed waiver criteria in July 2025. Illinois ended its statewide waiver in November 2025, and New York began enforcing ABAWD rules statewide as of March 1, 2026. However, some waivers were reinstated following legal challenges, so the situation remains in flux.
Where can I get help finding qualifying work activities?
Your state SNAP agency's Employment and Training program is the best starting point. These programs connect participants with job placement services, resume help, training programs, and sometimes financial assistance for work-related expenses. Contact your local SNAP office to enroll. You can also use our free screener to identify other programs that may support your job search or cover costs while you work toward meeting the requirement.
