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Check if the SNAP work rules affect your benefits

Some SNAP recipients need to report work or activities to keep their benefits. Answer a few questions and we'll help you understand what to give your SNAP agency.

This isn't a SNAP application. You'll get a document to give to your SNAP agency.

It usually takes about 10 minutes to complete this form.

Fill out the form

This form helps you:

See if you are exempt and can keep your benefits

We'll help you figure out what documents you may need to share with your SNAP agency.

See if your work or activities already count

We'll help you check if you're already meeting the work rules and understand what documents your SNAP agency may need from you.

Learn what to do if you're not meeting the work rules

We'll help you understand the next steps you should take to meet the work rules and get or keep your SNAP benefits.

How it works

  1. Answer a few questions

    Fill out the form to learn how the SNAP work rules may affect your situation.

  2. Get a document with your results

    After answering the questions, download your form from the website or get a copy by email.

  3. Share your form and any required documents with your SNAP agency

    We'll help you identify the documents you may need to share with your form. You may be able to send them online, by mail, email, or in person.

Frequently asked questions

People who have to follow the SNAP work rules must do at least 80 hours of work activities a month, or, if they are working fewer than 80 hours a month, get paid at least $935.25 a month.

Work activities include:

  • Working a job for money, including self-employment or gigs
  • Working in exchange for something like food, housing, or other services
  • Volunteering for a nonprofit organization, church or other religious group, community organization, or government agency
  • Participating in job training or SNAP Employment & Training programs

If you don't work for 80 hours a month, you can only get SNAP benefits for 3 months every 3 years (36 months).

If you've lost SNAP benefits because of the work rules, you can get them again by showing that you are now meeting the work rules, or that you are exempt.

The new law H.R.1, passed in July 2025, requires most states and counties to use the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules. It also changed the rules, so more people have to follow them.

These rules may apply to you if you:

  • Are between 18 and 64 years old
  • Don't live with a child under 14

You do not have to follow the SNAP work rules if you are:

  • Younger than 18, or 65 or older
  • Living with a child under 14
  • Pregnant
  • Caring for someone who cannot fully care for themselves (for example, if they are elderly or have a disability), even if they don't live with you
  • Getting unemployment benefits, or applied for unemployment and have not been denied
  • Going to school full-time, or at least half-time
  • Getting paid at least $935.25 a month for work you do
  • Unable to work at least 20 hours a week because of a medical condition (including physical or mental health issues)
  • Getting disability benefits or payments
  • In an alcohol or drug treatment program
  • An American Indian

If you do not need to follow the SNAP work rules, you can keep getting SNAP benefits as usual, as long as your agency knows about your exemption.

Reporting your exemption to your SNAP agency helps prevent your benefits from being cut off by accident.


If you do need to follow the SNAP work rules, you must complete 80 hours of work activities each month. Otherwise, you can only get SNAP benefits for up to 3 months every 3 years (36 months).

This form will help you figure out if you have to follow the SNAP rules or not.

If you can show that you can't work for a medical or health reason, the SNAP work rules do not apply to you and you can keep getting SNAP.

If you usually have to follow the work rules but can't work for a good reason right now (for example, your car broke down, you had a family emergency, etc.) you can get excused for that month. Please contact your SNAP agency to explain that you have "good cause" for why you can't meet the SNAP work rules right now.