Who is exempt from SNAP work requirements?
SNAP work requirements—rules that require some people to work, volunteer, or take part in training programs to receive food stamps—changed when the "Big Beautiful Bill,” also called the reconciliation bill, was signed into law in July 2025.
More people will have to meet these requirements in order to receive their food stamp benefits for longer than three months over three years.
The new work requirement rules technically went into effect right away, but states may not implement them until late 2025. If you think these changes affect you, contact your local SNAP office to understand what you need to do and when.
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Who doesn’t have to meet SNAP work requirements?#who-doesnt-have-to-meet-snap-work-requirements
General work requirements for most SNAP participants aged 16-59 haven’t changed with the new legislation. You are still exempt from general work requirements if you’re:
- Working at least 30 hours per week or earning the equivalent of 30 hours of minimum-wage work per week
- Meeting work requirements for another program like TANF (also called cash assistance or welfare) or Unemployment Insurance
- Caring for children under six or someone with a disability
- Participating regularly in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program
- Enrolled in school or a training program at least half-time
However, work requirements for “able-bodied adults without dependents” (commonly referred to as ABAWDs) just got stricter. Now, you’re only exempt from ABAWD work requirements if you're:
- 65 or older
- Caring for someone younger than 14 in your household
- Unable to work due to a physical or mental disability
- Currently pregnant
For the first time, able-bodied adults aged 55 to 64 and caretakers for kids 14 and older will have to meet the 20-hour-per-week work, volunteering, or training requirement (often called “time limits”). Until now, these requirements only applied to adults aged 18 to 54.
Groups that have to meet the ABAWD work requirements for SNAP#groups-that-have-to-meet-the-abawd-work-requirements-for-snap
You now need to meet SNAP work requirements for able-bodied adults if you’re:
- Age 18-64
- Caring for a dependent age 14 or older
- A veteran
- Experiencing homelessness
- Formerly in foster care
These people used to be exempt from SNAP work requirements, but the new law has changed that. If you’re in one of these groups, you can meet the work requirements by doing just one of the following:
- Work or volunteer at least 80 hours per month for pay, unpaid, or in exchange for goods or services
- Participate in a work program (SNAP Employment and Training or another federal, state, or local work program) for 80 hours per month
- Work and participate in a work program for a combined total of at least 80 hours per month
- Participate in workfare for your assigned hours—the number of hours will depend on your benefit amount
