SNAP Work Requirements Explained (2026)

Updated July 29, 2026. SNAP work rules come in two layers, and one of them changed in 2025. The rules are administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), formerly the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). This guide states current law based on FNA’s official implementation memorandum, and flags where FNA’s consumer web page has not yet caught up.

The two layers of SNAP work rules

The general work requirement applies to most able adults roughly ages 16 to 59. It asks you to register for work, not voluntarily quit a job or cut your hours below 30 a week without good cause, accept a suitable job offer, and take part in an employment and training (E&T) program if your state assigns one. Common exemptions include already working at least 30 hours a week, caring for a child under 6 or an incapacitated person, a physical or mental limitation, being in treatment, or being a half-time-or-more student. This layer was not changed by the 2025 law.

The stricter second layer is the ABAWD time limit. ABAWD stands for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. Under this rule, an affected adult can receive SNAP for only 3 months in any 36-month period unless they meet the work requirement or qualify for an exception.

Meeting the ABAWD work requirement

To keep benefits past the 3-month limit, an ABAWD generally must complete at least 80 hours per month of qualifying activity — paid work, an approved work or training program, workfare, or a combination. Meeting the 80-hour threshold each month preserves eligibility.

What changed: the age range and exceptions (current law)

Under Public Law 119-21 (enacted July 4, 2025), and per FNA’s official implementation memorandum dated October 3, 2025, current law applies the ABAWD time limit to adults ages 18 through 64. The same law:

• Narrows the dependent-child exception to households with a child under 14.
• Removes the former exceptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth up to age 24.
• Adds a new exception for Indians, Urban Indians, and California Indians as defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).

Other exceptions remain in place, including people who are physically or mentally unfit for work, those who are pregnant, and anyone who is exempt from the general work requirement.

Two official sources may disagree right now

Important caveat: FNA implemented these changes through a sub-regulatory memorandum and Time-Limit questions-and-answers rather than a finalized regulation, and such guidance does not carry the full force and effect of law. As of late July 2026, FNA’s public Work Requirements web page still displayed the older “ages 18 to 54” text and the earlier exemptions, with a banner noting guidance was being provided. We present the ages 18–64 framework and the removed exceptions as current law because that is what FNA’s implementation memo directs; both the memo and the not-yet-updated public page are linked below so you can see the discrepancy for yourself.

Area waivers and special groups

States can request waivers of the ABAWD time limit only for areas with an unemployment rate over 10 percent — Public Law 119-21 removed the former “lack of sufficient jobs” basis that used to also qualify an area for a waiver. A special rule applies in Alaska and Hawaii: those noncontiguous-state areas can qualify at an unemployment rate of at least 150% of the national unemployment rate. Because waiver status is location-specific and changes over time, your state SNAP agency is the authority on whether a waiver currently applies where you live. Older adults and people with disabilities are generally treated differently; see our SNAP for seniors (2026) and SNAP for disabled adults (2026) guides. For how income is measured, see SNAP income limits by household size (2026). If the time limit may affect you, contact your state agency promptly to confirm your status and find qualifying E&T programs.

Sources

• FNA — OBBB ABAWD Exceptions Implementation Memo, Oct. 3, 2025 (.gov, PDF)
• FNA — OBBB ABAWD Waivers Implementation Memo, Oct. 3, 2025 (.gov)
• FNA — SNAP Work Requirements page (.gov; still showed older 18–54 text as of July 2026)
• FNA (formerly FNS) — SNAP Eligibility (.gov)

Last fact-check: July 29, 2026

Editorial status: Independent subject-matter review has not been completed.