The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), widely known as “food stamps,” is a crucial federal initiative designed to assist low-income individuals and families in affording nutritious food. Its fundamental purpose is to alleviate food insecurity and ensure that no one faces the hardship of hunger. While SNAP aims to provide this vital safety net, the program’s regulations also underscore the importance of work and personal responsibility. This dual objective means that many recipients are expected to engage in certain work-related activities to maintain their benefits.
However, it is equally important to recognize that not all individuals are subject to these requirements. Understanding who qualifies for an exemption is essential for anyone considering applying for or currently receiving SNAP, as it can significantly influence eligibility and the duration of benefits.
Who is Exempt from SNAP Work Requirements? (Your Essential Guide)
Many individuals qualify for exemptions from SNAP work requirements, meaning they are not subject to the general rules, the ABAWD time limit, or both. Understanding these exemptions is critical for determining eligibility.
Age-Based Exemptions
Age plays a significant role in determining work requirement exemptions. Children are generally exempt from SNAP work requirements. Similarly, individuals aged 60 or older are exempt from the general work requirements.
For ABAWD rules, the age for exemption has been subject to recent changes. While the general exemption for seniors is 60+, the ABAWD requirements have been expanding to include older adults. In 2025, these requirements expanded to cover SNAP participants up to age 52, and they are set to further expand to include those up to age 54 by October 2025. This means that more older adults are now falling under the ABAWD work requirements than in previous years, requiring them to meet the work activity criteria unless another exemption applies. Currently, individuals aged 55 and older are exempt from ABAWD work rules. This dynamic nature of age limits means that individuals must stay informed about the most current regulations.
Caregiving Responsibilities
SNAP policy acknowledges the vital role of caregiving by providing exemptions for those with significant care responsibilities. Adults who are caring for a child under the age of six are exempt from general SNAP work requirements. This policy prioritizes the essential societal function of caring for young children.
Similarly, individuals who are taking care of someone who is incapacitated—meaning unable to care for themselves—are also exempt, regardless of the incapacitated person’s age. This recognizes that dedicating time to an incapacitated person precludes traditional work requirements.
For ABAWDs specifically, an exemption applies if they live in a household with someone younger than 18, even if that person is not a dependent child under six. This broader recognition of living with a minor further extends the caregiving consideration for this particular group.
Health and Disability
The program also provides exemptions based on health and disability status. Individuals who are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation are exempt from work requirements. This encompasses a range of conditions, including certified disabilities, a documented history of being unable to maintain employment, or even circumstances related to domestic violence that hinder work capacity. The inclusion of factors beyond a formal medical diagnosis, such as a history of employment instability or domestic violence, indicates a more nuanced understanding of the systemic and personal challenges that can prevent an individual from working. This approach moves beyond a purely medical definition to acknowledge broader social and psychological factors impacting employment, making the policy more responsive to complex realities.
Furthermore, individuals who are regularly participating in an alcohol or drug treatment or rehabilitation program are also exempt from SNAP work requirements.
Specific Vulnerable Populations
Recent policy changes have explicitly added certain vulnerable populations to the list of those exempt from SNAP work requirements, reflecting an acknowledgment of their unique barriers to employment.
Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, including those from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard, are now exempt, regardless of their discharge conditions. This exemption was a recent addition, stemming from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
Individuals experiencing homelessness are also exempt from work requirements. This, too, was a recent addition to the exemption criteria.
Additionally, young adults aged 24 or younger who were in foster care on their 18th birthday are exempt. The explicit inclusion of these groups demonstrates a policy recognition that veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth often face severe and distinct obstacles to employment that extend beyond individual capacity. This signifies a targeted approach to protect particularly vulnerable populations from work requirements, even as other rules may become stricter.
Students
Eligibility for students is particularly complex. Generally, students attending college or other institutions of higher education at least half-time are not eligible for SNAP unless they meet specific exemptions.
The specific student exemptions include:
- Being under 18 years old or age 50 or older.
- Being physically or mentally unfit to work.
- Working at least 20 hours per week in paid employment, or earning an amount equivalent to 20 hours at the federal minimum wage if self-employed.
- Participating in a state or federally financed work-study program.
- Participating in an on-the-job training program.
- Caring for a child under the age of 6.
- Caring for a child aged 6 to 11, provided the student lacks the necessary child care to attend school and either work 20 hours a week or participate in a work-study program.
- Being a single parent enrolled full-time in college and caring for a child under 12.
- Receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance.
- Being assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in higher education through a SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, certain other state or local E&T programs, programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), or Trade Adjustment Assistance.
It is important to note that temporary student exemptions that were available during the COVID-19 public health emergency are no longer in effect for new applicants or those recertifying for SNAP as of July 1, 2023. This change signifies a return to stricter, pre-pandemic rules, which could impact many students if they are not aware of the policy shift.
Meeting Requirements Through Other Programs
Individuals who are already meeting the work requirements for another assistance program, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or unemployment compensation, are typically exempt from SNAP work requirements. This exemption streamlines the process across different social welfare programs, preventing individuals from having to fulfill redundant work obligations for multiple benefits and indicating a degree of inter-program coordination.
Geographic Waivers (Areas with High Unemployment)
In certain areas experiencing high unemployment rates, states have the option to request a temporary waiver from the federal government for the ABAWD work requirements. Such a waiver means that ABAWDs residing in these specific counties or regions may be temporarily exempt from the three-month time limit.
Historically, these waivers could be granted if an area had an unemployment rate exceeding 10% or if it was determined that the area did not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for ABAWDs. However, the landscape of these waivers is shifting. Many states had waivers in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, but these have been expiring. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also articulated a strong position against states “abusing” the waiver system, emphasizing that individuals who are able to work should do so.
There is also ongoing legislative discussion to make waiver criteria even more stringent, potentially eliminating the “insufficient jobs” criterion and allowing waivers only for areas with unemployment rates over 10%. As of the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, only a few states had full statewide ABAWD time limit waivers, while more had partial waivers for specific counties. This discussion around geographic waivers reveals a significant trend: a tightening of federal control over state discretion. The USDA’s explicit language about states “abusing” waivers and legislative proposals to restrict waiver criteria indicate a clear policy direction towards reducing state flexibility and increasing the number of people subject to work requirements. This has broad implications for access to benefits in economically distressed areas.
Table 1: SNAP Work Requirement Exemptions at a Glance
| Category of Exemption | Specific Condition(s) for Exemption | Applies to General Work Requirements | Applies to ABAWD Work Requirements |
| Age-Based | Under 16 years old | Yes | Yes |
| 60 years or older | Yes | Yes (55+ currently) | |
| Caregiving | Caring for a child under 6 | Yes | Yes |
| Caring for an incapacitated person | Yes | Yes | |
| Living with someone under 18 | No | Yes | |
| Health/Disability | Unable to work due to physical/mental limitation | Yes | Yes |
| Participating in alcohol/drug treatment program | Yes | Yes | |
| Vulnerable Populations | Veteran | Yes | Yes |
| Experiencing homelessness | Yes | Yes | |
| Age 24 or younger, in foster care on 18th birthday | Yes | Yes | |
| Students | Under 18 or 50+ | Yes | Yes |
| Physically/mentally unfit | Yes | Yes | |
| Working 20+ hours/week (paid or equivalent) | Yes | Yes | |
| Participating in work-study/on-the-job training | Yes | Yes | |
| Caring for child under 6 | Yes | Yes | |
| Caring for child 6-11 with childcare barrier | Yes | Yes | |
| Single parent, full-time student, caring for child under 12 | Yes | Yes | |
| Receiving TANF | Yes | Yes | |
| Assigned to higher education via E&T/WIOA/TAA | Yes | Yes | |
| Other Programs | Meeting work requirements for another program (TANF, unemployment) | Yes | Yes |
| Geographic | Living in an area with a federal ABAWD waiver | No | Yes |
The Basics: What Are SNAP Work Requirements?
SNAP work requirements are broadly categorized into two main types: general work requirements and specific rules for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). Each set of rules has distinct criteria and consequences for non-compliance.
General Work Requirements (for most adults aged 16-59)
For most adults between the ages of 16 and 59 who are considered able to work, meeting the general work requirements is a prerequisite for receiving SNAP benefits. These requirements are foundational to the program’s emphasis on self-sufficiency.
Individuals subject to these rules must take several actions to maintain their eligibility. They are required to register for work at the time of application and every 12 months thereafter. Beyond registration, recipients must not voluntarily quit a job or reduce their work hours below 30 per week without a legitimate reason. Furthermore, they must accept any suitable job offer presented to them and participate in employment and training (E&T) programs or workfare if assigned by their state SNAP agency.
Failure to comply with these general work requirements can lead to disqualification from the SNAP program. The penalties for non-compliance are structured to escalate with repeated instances. A first failure or refusal to cooperate can result in disqualification for at least one month, or until compliance is achieved, whichever is longer. A second instance can lead to a three-month disqualification, and a third or subsequent failure can result in a six-month or even longer period of ineligibility. To regain benefits after disqualification, individuals must demonstrate that they have begun to meet the requirements again. This escalating punitive structure underscores the program’s commitment to enforcing compliance and highlights the practical importance for individuals to understand and adhere to these rules, or to confirm if they are exempt.
Special Rules for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)
A specific subset of SNAP recipients, known as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), faces additional work requirements. This group typically includes individuals aged 18-54 who are able to work, are not disabled, are not pregnant, and do not live in a household with children.
For ABAWDs, a strict three-month time limit applies: they can generally receive SNAP benefits for only three months within any three-year period, unless they fulfill specific work requirements or qualify for an exemption. This time limit serves as a distinct and more immediate mechanism to encourage work among those without dependents, marking a targeted policy approach.
To receive SNAP benefits beyond this three-month limit, ABAWDs must engage in work-related activities for at least 80 hours per month, which roughly translates to 20 hours per week. This can be achieved through various means: working for pay, exchanging work for goods or services, performing unpaid work, or volunteering. Alternatively, they can participate in a work program, such as SNAP Employment and Training or another federal, state, or local work program. A combination of work and work program hours totaling at least 80 hours per month also qualifies. Lastly, participation in “workfare” for the number of assigned hours, which is determined by the individual’s SNAP benefit amount, is another pathway to compliance.
If an ABAWD does not meet these specific work requirements, benefits will cease after three months. To regain SNAP eligibility, the individual must meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period or become exempt.
Important Updates and What Is Important to Know
The landscape of SNAP work requirements is subject to ongoing adjustments, making it crucial for individuals to stay informed about the latest changes and how to navigate the system effectively.
Recent Age Limit Changes
As of 2025, the age range for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) subject to work requirements has expanded. This expansion began by including individuals up to age 52 in early 2025, and it is set to further expand to include those up to age 54 by October 2025. This means that a greater number of individuals now fall under these specific work requirements than in previous years, potentially impacting their eligibility if they do not meet the criteria or an applicable exemption.
Proposed Future Changes (Not Yet Law)
It is important for individuals to be aware of legislative discussions that could further alter SNAP work requirements, even though these are not yet enacted laws. For instance, a proposed bill in the House of Representatives in May 2025 aims to significantly expand these requirements. The proposed changes include extending work requirements to parents with children aged seven or older, or even ten or older, depending on the specific proposal. Another proposal seeks to raise the ABAWD work requirement age limit even further, potentially up to 64. Additionally, there are discussions about restricting state waivers for high-unemployment areas, allowing them only for regions with unemployment rates over 10% and removing other criteria. It is crucial to remember that these are merely proposed changes and require additional congressional approval to become law; they are not currently in effect. The consistent presence of such legislative proposals and the USDA’s firm stance on work requirements indicate that SNAP policy, particularly concerning work, is a subject of continuous political debate and potential significant shifts. This means that the rules are not static and require ongoing monitoring.
The Importance of Reporting Circumstances Accurately
If an individual’s circumstances change—for example, if they become pregnant, begin caring for an incapacitated person, or receive a disability diagnosis—it is critical to report these changes to the local SNAP office promptly. Timely reporting ensures that eligibility is correctly assessed and that individuals receive the benefits they are entitled to based on their current situation. It is also important to be prepared to provide verification for any claimed exemption, which may include documents such as pay stubs, a letter from an employer, proof of self-employment (like tax returns), or documentation of volunteer hours.
How to Get Local, Specific Information
While federal guidelines establish the framework for SNAP, the practical implementation, interpretation, and current status of waivers can vary by state and even by county. This means that the most accurate and up-to-date information for a specific situation is best obtained by contacting the state SNAP agency or local county office of human services directly. These local offices can provide precise details on current waivers in a specific area, outline specific verification requirements, and explain any state-level nuances that might affect eligibility. Many states also offer job placement and training programs that are linked to SNAP eligibility, providing additional resources for recipients. The repeated emphasis on contacting state and local agencies highlights that while federal policy sets the broad rules, the practical application and current status are often determined at the local level. This makes direct communication with these offices a crucial piece of actionable advice for individuals seeking benefits.
Conclusion: Ensuring Access to Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) stands as a vital program, serving as a critical resource for individuals and families striving to put nutritious food on their tables. Its design aims to support those in need while also encouraging self-sufficiency where possible.
Understanding the program’s work requirements, and more importantly, knowing whether one qualifies for an exemption, is fundamental to accessing and maintaining these essential benefits. The various exemptions—based on age, caregiving responsibilities, health and disability, status as a veteran, experience of homelessness, or history in foster care, as well as specific student criteria and participation in other work-related programs—are designed to protect vulnerable populations and acknowledge diverse life circumstances that may preclude traditional employment. The existence of geographic waivers in areas of high unemployment further demonstrates the program’s adaptability to economic conditions.
Despite the complexities and the evolving nature of the rules, particularly with recent and proposed changes to age limits and waiver criteria, the program remains a cornerstone of food security. The ongoing policy discussions surrounding work requirements underscore the dynamic and often politically charged nature of SNAP regulations, implying that individuals must remain vigilant and seek official verification of rules.
Ultimately, for anyone who believes they might be eligible or is struggling to afford food, the most empowering step is to apply for SNAP benefits and reach out to their local agency for personalized guidance. Even without a current job, individuals can still apply for assistance. The program is in place to bridge gaps, support well-being, and ensure that basic nutritional needs are met for those who qualify.