Who is exempt from SNAP work requirements in North Carolina?
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New national legislation passed in 2025 expanded work requirement rules for SNAP recipients across the country—that means more people have to show proof they’re meeting the requirements or risk losing their benefits.
But many people in North Carolina may be exempt from these work requirements (meaning you don’t have to meet them) and not even know it.
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What does a SNAP work exemption mean?#what-does-a-snap-work-exemption-mean
A SNAP work exemption means you don’t have to meet the SNAP work requirements in order to get benefits.
As of December 1, 2025, if you get SNAP benefits in North Carolina and you're considered an "able-bodied adult without dependents" (ABAWD)—meaning you're 18 to 64, don't live with a child under 14, and are physically and mentally able to work—you need to show you're working, volunteering, or in an approved activity for at least 80 hours a month (about 20 hours a week) to keep getting benefits for more than three months in a 36-month period.
None of your months count until your county Department of Social Services (DSS) has screened you for exemptions, which will happen at your next renewal. If you qualify for an exemption, that means you don’t have to meet the SNAP work requirements.
You may be exempt from these ABAWD SNAP work requirements in North Carolina if you are:
- 65 or older
- Under 18
- Living in a household with a child under 14 who is part of your SNAP household, even if you're not their parent or guardian
- Currently pregnant
- Receiving disability benefits from any source—SSI, SSDI, VA disability at any rating, Workers' Compensation, or private disability
- Physically or mentally unable to work
- Chronically homeless—you lack a fixed and regular nighttime residence, and it prevents you from working
- A survivor of recent domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, or stalking that's affecting your ability to work
- An American Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian who qualifies under federal rules
- Enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school, training, or college program
- Providing care for a child under 6, or for someone who cannot care for themselves, even if they don't live with you
- Meeting work requirements for another program, like TANF (sometimes called Cash EBT)
- Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits
- A regular participant in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment and rehabilitation program
- Homeschooling your children for at least 30 hours a week
- 55 to 64 years old with limited education, no recent work history, and a health condition that limits your ability to work (all three must apply)
Veterans and youth aging out of foster care used to be automatically exempt but no longer are — though veterans receiving VA disability compensation at any percentage still qualify under the disability-benefits exemption above.
How do I report a SNAP work exemption in North Carolina?#how-do-i-report-a-snap-work-exemption-in-north-carolina
Once you know you qualify for an exemption, you should tell your county Department of Social Services (DSS). You can report an exemption when you apply for SNAP, during your SNAP renewal (recertification), or anytime your circumstances change.
For many exemptions, telling your caseworker is enough. North Carolina generally accepts your word for it unless something about your situation needs a closer look.
Here's how to report that you're exempt in North Carolina:
- Online: ePASS
- In person: Your county DSS office
What documents do I need to prove an exemption?#what-documents-do-i-need-to-prove-an-exemption
Some SNAP work exemptions are confirmed automatically from what's already in your case file; others need documentation.
Make sure your information on file is current and accurate, and tell your county DSS about any changes that could affect your exemption.
Here’s what you might need for each exemption:
If you’re 65 or older, or under 18#if-youre-65-or-older-or-under-18
No extra proof needed—your age is already on file with your case.
If you’re living with a child under 14#if-youre-living-with-a-child-under-14
Usually confirmed from the household information already on file. You don't need to be the child's parent or guardian for this to count.
If you’re physically or mentally unable to work#if-youre-physically-or-mentally-unable-to-work
If you can't work because of a physical or mental condition, your caseworker may ask for proof, but it doesn't have to come from a doctor. North Carolina also accepts statements from nurses, social workers, counselors, therapists, and addiction counselors. If your condition is obvious to your caseworker, you likely won't need to provide anything.
Receiving disability benefits from any source—SSI, SSDI, VA disability at any rating, Workers' Compensation, or private disability—also qualifies on its own. North Carolina does require verification of that, usually something like a benefit award letter or statement from SSA, the VA, or your disability provider, though your caseworker may already have this on file.
If you’re pregnant#if-youre-pregnant
Just telling your caseworker is usually enough—being pregnant qualifies you at any stage, no proof required.
If you’re a member of a certain Native American or Alaska Native tribe or group#if-youre-a-member-of-a-certain-native-american-or-alaska-native-tribe-or-group
Self-reporting is accepted unless it conflicts with other information already in your case file or something you've said before—only then would you need documentation, like a tribal enrollment or membership card, or a letter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs or a tribal government.
If you’re enrolled at least half-time in school, training, or college#if-youre-enrolled-at-least-half-time-in-school-training-or-college
North Carolina will typically ask for proof of enrollment, like a school verification letter or class schedule.
If you’re responsible for the care of someone who cannot care for themselves#if-youre-responsible-for-the-care-of-someone-who-cannot-care-for-themselves
Telling your caseworker is usually enough—no extra proof needed unless your situation needs more clarification. If it does, North Carolina might ask for a statement confirming the person's condition and how many hours of care they need. The person you're caring for doesn't have to live with you or be part of your SNAP household for this exemption to apply.
If you’re unable to work due to being a victim or survivor of domestic violence or assault#if-youre-unable-to-work-due-to-being-a-victim-or-survivor-of-domestic-violence-or-assault
Tell your caseworker. Recent domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual assault, or stalking that's affected your physical or mental health and currently interferes with your ability to work can qualify you. If it's obvious to your caseworker, no documentation is needed. If not, a statement from a doctor, nurse, social worker, counselor, therapist, or addiction counselor works.
If you’re receiving or applying for unemployment benefits#if-youre-receiving-or-applying-for-unemployment-benefits
Telling your caseworker is usually enough. North Carolina generally accepts your word about your unemployment claim unless it needs a closer look.
If you’re a regular participant in a drug or alcohol treatment program#if-youre-a-regular-participant-in-a-drug-or-alcohol-treatment-program
You'll need to provide documentation from the treatment program, like a treatment plan or a letter confirming you're actively participating. If you’re not in a program but a substance use disorder makes it hard to work, you may still qualify for a work exemption.
Alcoholics Anonymous on its own doesn't count as a qualifying program.
If you're chronically homeless#if-youre-chronically-homeless
North Carolina recognizes that lacking a fixed and regular nighttime residence—including staying in a shelter, a vehicle, outdoors, or another place not meant for sleeping—can prevent someone from meeting the work requirement. If this applies to you, tell your caseworker; you may be found exempt as "obviously unfit for employment."
If you're homeschooling your children#if-youre-homeschooling-your-children
Teaching your children at home for at least 30 hours a week counts as work, which exempts you from the ABAWD time limit.
Just make sure you've already filed a Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School with the state's Division of Non-Public Education. Your caseworker checks that it's on file, and if they can't find it and you can't show proof another way, the exemption won't apply.
If you're 55 to 64 with limited education, no recent work history, and a health condition#if-youre-55-to-64-with-limited-education-no-recent-work-history-and-a-health-condition
All three have to apply together—limited education (no diploma or GED), no recent work history, and a health condition that limits your ability to work. Tell your caseworker about all three circumstances so they can see whether you qualify for this exemption.
How to appeal a SNAP work requirement determination in North Carolina#how-to-appeal-a-snap-work-requirement-determination-in-north-carolina
If North Carolina denies your exemption, decides you're not meeting the SNAP work requirement, or cuts off your benefits because of the ABAWD time limit, you have the right to appeal. This is called a fair hearing.
How to request a hearing: Contact your county Department of Social Services (DSS)—over the phone or in writing—and ask for a fair hearing. Your county DSS will forward your request to the state's Hearings and Appeals Section, where a State Hearing Officer from NCDHHS will conduct the hearing. You don't need a lawyer to request one, though free legal help is available (see below).
Deadline to request a hearing: You have 90 days from the date on your notice to request a fair hearing.
Keeping your benefits during the appeal: To keep getting your current benefits while your appeal is pending, request the hearing within the 10-day advance notice period given on your notice. Your benefits can't continue past the end of your certification period even if your appeal is still pending, so if your certification ends first, you'll need to recertify separately.
If you win: Your SNAP benefits will be restored, including any missed while your appeal was pending.
If you lose: If you kept getting SNAP deposits while your appeal was pending, you may have to pay back any benefits you weren't eligible for.
Free legal help: Legal Aid of North Carolina or LawHelpNC.org
