my80hours › Gig work and self-employment

Does gig work or self-employment count?

Short answer: Yes. Hours you work driving, delivering, cleaning, doing hair or running your own business count toward the 80 hours a month for both SNAP and Medicaid. The proof is the hard part, so log real hours and keep your earnings statements.

SNAP (food stamps)

SNAP counts work for money, which includes self-employment and gig apps. What matters is hours: 80 a month, about 20 a week. There is no federal rule that turns your earnings into hours, and some states won’t do it, so write down the hours you actually worked.

If you work at least 30 hours a week, or earn at least $217.50 a week (30 hours at the $7.25 federal minimum wage), you’re also exempt from SNAP’s general work rules. Some states accept earnings for this test and others want hours.

Medicaid

Medicaid counts work for money, including self-employment. It also counts you for the month if your monthly income, as Medicaid counts it, is $580 or more (80 hours × $7.25). Seasonal workers can use a 6-month average. States can’t use a higher state minimum wage for this test.

Proof to keep

A daily log: date, start time, end time, and what you did
The app’s weekly or monthly earnings summaries (screenshots work)
1099 forms, invoices or receipts if you run your own business

In the free my80hours app, tap Start clock when you log on and Stop when you’re done, then snap a screenshot of your weekly payout. It all goes into your monthly PDF.

Keep proof of every hour

my80hours is a free app that logs your hours, saves photos of pay stubs and sign-in sheets, gets volunteer letters signed, and makes a PDF for your caseworker. No sign-up. Your info stays on your phone.

Start my free log

Questions people ask

Does DoorDash, Uber or Instacart count as work for SNAP?

Yes. Gig and self-employed work is work for money, so the hours count toward 80 a month. Log the hours you actually worked, not just what you earned.

Does self-employment count for the Medicaid work requirement?

Yes. Work for money counts, including self-employment. Medicaid also counts you if your monthly income, as Medicaid counts it, is at least $580, so steady gig earnings may be enough on their own. Seasonal workers can average their income over 6 months.

Can I turn my earnings into hours?

For SNAP, there is no federal rule that converts self-employment earnings into hours, and some states require actual hours. Keep a log of real hours. Earning at least $217.50 a week (30 hours at minimum wage) can exempt you from SNAP’s general work rules in some states.

Does time waiting for orders count?

States decide how they count gig hours. Log your logged-in time and your active delivery or driving time, keep the app’s weekly summaries, and ask your caseworker which number your state uses.

How many hours do you need? · Am I exempt? · Your state’s guide

Sources

This page explains federal rules as of October 10, 2026. It is not legal advice and my80hours is not a government site. Your state sets many details, so always follow the notices your state sends you, and ask your caseworker or a legal aid office if you’re unsure.