Check if the SNAP work rules apply to you
We'll help you put your information into a document you can submit to your SNAP agency so they can determine if the SNAP work rules apply to you.
It usually takes about 10 minutes to complete this form.
Fill out the form
What are the SNAP work rules?
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 for work that they do.
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 do not do work activities 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.
Frequently asked questions.
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. Before the new law passed, many states and counties did not have to apply these work rules.
You are considered an ABAWD and now likely need to meet the SNAP work rules if:
- You are between 18 and 64 years old, and
- You do not live with a child under 14.
Some people do not have to follow the SNAP work rules. 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 state knows about your exemption.
Reporting your exemption to your state 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.