SNAP work requirements in 2025: What you need to know
SNAP work requirements are rules that require certain groups of people to work, look for work, volunteer, or participate in job training in order to qualify for food stamps.
The work doesn’t necessarily have to be for a paycheck—unpaid volunteer work or work done in exchange for something other than money can count too.
In 2023, ABAWD work requirements—rules specifically for able-bodied adults without dependents—returned after being suspended during COVID-19, and new rules gradually raised the age limit from 49 to 54 and added new exemptions for veterans, people without stable housing, and young adults who had aged out of foster care.
In May, 2025, the House of Representatives passed a bill that could expand food stamp work requirements starting in 2026, but it hasn’t become law yet. Here's what you need to know.
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What are the current SNAP work requirements in 2025?#what-are-the-current-snap-work-requirements-in-2025
SNAP has two types of work requirements: General work requirements and ABAWD work requirements.
1. General work requirements for SNAP#1-general-work-requirements-for-snap
Most people who are able to work and between ages 16 and 59 already meet the general work requirements for SNAP.
To keep your SNAP benefits, you'll need to show you're working or actively seeking work, which means you must:
- Look for and apply to jobs
- Join SNAP Employment & Training programs when assigned
- Accept any job offers you get
- Keep working at least 30 hours per week—don't quit or cut hours without a valid reason
If you can’t prove that you’re working or looking for work, you could lose SNAP benefits for at least a month. You can get benefits back once you meet the requirements again. Not following these rules consistently could mean losing SNAP benefits altogether.
2. ABAWD work requirements for SNAP#2-abawd-work-requirements-for-snap
If you're an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) between ages 18 and 54, you need to meet additional work requirements—called “ABAWD” work requirements—to get SNAP for longer than three months over three years.
You can meet this requirement by working at least 80 hours a month, participating in a work program for at least 80 hours a month, or doing both for a total of at least 80 hours per month.
This work doesn’t have to be for a paycheck—it can be unpaid volunteer work or work done in exchange for something other than money.
This requirement equals about 20 hours per week. You can also participate in workfare for your assigned hours—the number of hours will depend on your SNAP benefit amount.
Under current rules, if you have to meet the ABAWD work requirement but don't, you'll lose your benefits after three months. To get SNAP again, you must meet the work requirement for 30 days or become exempt.
Remember to track your hours and get documentation from your employer or program to keep receiving benefits.
Who is exempt from SNAP work requirements?#who-is-exempt-from-snap-work-requirements
You're exempt from SNAP work requirements if you're:
- Unable to work due to a physical or mental disability
- Pregnant, have dependents, or live with someone under 18 as part of your household
- A veteran
- Experiencing homelessness
- Are age 24 or younger and were in foster care on your 18th birthday
How have SNAP work requirements changed recently?#how-have-snap-work-requirements-changed-recently
The age limit for ABAWD work requirements has increased. In 2025, these work requirements expanded to SNAP participants up to age 52, and requirements will expand to age 54 as of October 2025.
This means more people now fall under these work requirements than in previous years.
Some states that had waivers allowing people in high-unemployment areas to skip work requirements have seen those waivers expire. Check with your SNAP office for your area’s current waiver status.
What are the new House GOP food stamp work requirements for 2026?#what-are-the-new-house-gop-food-stamp-work-requirements-for-2026
In May 2025, the House of Representatives passed a budget bill that would significantly expand SNAP work requirements, but the bill hasn't become law yet.
The proposed changes would:
- Extend work requirements to parents with children ages seven or older (a different proposal released on June 11 requires parents of children ten or older to meet these rules)
- Raise the ABAWD work requirement age limit to 64 from 54
- Restrict state waivers to areas with unemployment rates over 10%
These changes basically mean more people who currently qualify for SNAP would have to meet work requirements or lose access to benefits, and some seniors would have to keep working longer in order to keep their benefits.
Any changes from the bill require additional congressional approval before they become law.
