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SNAP work requirements in 2026: the 80-hour rule

The SNAP time limit (the 'ABAWD' rule) now covers adults age 18 through 64 who are able to work, unless they fit an exception. The biggest new groups: people age 55-64, and parents or caregivers whose youngest child in the home is 14 or older. Changes took effect July 4, 2025; states had to apply them at new applications and recertifications right away.

What you have to do

To keep SNAP past the time limit you need 80 hours a month (20 hours a week, averaged over the month) of: paid work, work traded for goods or services, unpaid or volunteer work, a qualifying work program (like SNAP E&T), or any mix of these. Or do workfare for the hours your state assigns.

What happens if you don’t

If you are covered and don't meet the 80 hours (and no exception or waiver applies), you can only get SNAP for 3 full months in a 36-month period. You can get back on by doing 80 hours in any 30 days in a row, or by qualifying for an exception. There is no limit on how many times you can regain it.

Who is exempt

You don’t have to meet the 80 hours if any of these fit you:

Are you under 18 or 65 or older? The time limit covers ages 18-64 only. (Ages 60-64 ARE covered by the time limit, even though they skip the general work rules.)
Does a health problem (body or mind) keep you from working? Medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for work. Shown by: getting disability benefits (government or private), being obviously unfit, or a statement from a doctor, PA, nurse, NP, psychologist, social worker or other medical person the state accepts.
Do you help take care of a child under 14 who lives with you? A parent or other household member responsible for a dependent child under age 14. Kids 14-17 no longer count (used to be under 18).
Are you pregnant? Pregnant individuals are exempt.
Are you American Indian or Alaska Native (including urban Indians and California Indians)? NEW. 'Indian' under 25 U.S.C. 1603(13): member of an Indian tribe, band, nation or group (incl. Alaska Native villages/corporations) recognized for federal Indian services. States follow normal verification rules.
Do you live in a city and are you Native American (tribe member, child or grandchild of a tribe member, or Alaska Native)? NEW. 'Urban Indian' (IHCIA sec. 4(28)): lives in an urban center and is a tribe/band member (incl. terminated or state-recognized tribes) or a 1st/2nd-degree descendant of one; or Eskimo, Aleut or other Alaska Native; or determined Indian under Interior or HHS rules.
Are you a California Indian? NEW. IHCIA sec. 809(a) (25 U.S.C. 1679(a)): member of a federally recognized tribe; descendant of an Indian living in California on June 1, 1852 who is part of an IHS-served community and seen as Indian by that community; holds certain California trust allotments; or is on (or descends from someone on) the 1958 rancheria distribution plans.
Does your county or area have a waiver? Not a personal exemption, but people living in a USDA-approved waived area are not held to the time limit. Waivers now need unemployment over 10% (or 1.5x national rate in Alaska/Hawaii-type states). Ask your SNAP office.
Do you work at least 30 hours a week, or earn at least $217.50 a week? Employed or self-employed at least 30 hrs/week, or weekly earnings at least federal minimum wage x 30 ($7.25 x 30 = $217.50). Includes migrant/seasonal farmworkers under contract to start within 30 days.
Are you getting unemployment benefits (or applied and following its rules)? Receiving unemployment compensation, or applied and complying with UC work rules.
Are you meeting TANF (cash aid) work rules? Subject to and complying with a TANF (title IV) work requirement.
Do you take care of a child under 6, or someone who can't care for themselves? Parent or household member responsible for a dependent child under 6 or an incapacitated person.
Are you in a drug or alcohol treatment program? Regular participant in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program.
Are you in school or job training at least half-time? Enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or college. College students must also meet SNAP student rules (7 CFR 273.5). Stays exempt during normal breaks.
Are you 16 or 17 and not head of household, or in school/training half-time? Mostly irrelevant to the time limit (which starts at 18).

Take the 1-minute exemption check.

Who is no longer exempt

Veterans (no longer automatically exempt). Added by the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act; removed by OBBB. Veterans must now meet the rule unless another exception fits (e.g., disability benefits = unfit for work).
People experiencing homelessness (no longer automatically exempt). Removed by OBBB. Homelessness can still support 'good cause' or an unfitness finding case by case, but it is no longer its own exception.
Former foster youth age 24 or younger (no longer automatically exempt). Removed by OBBB for SNAP. (Former foster youth under 26 are still excluded from the MEDICAID rule.)
Living with a child age 14-17 (no longer exempt). The child exception now only covers children under 14 (was under 18).
Age 55-64 (no longer exempt). Age exception was 55+ (FRA 2023); now only 65+.

How to prove your hours

Pay stubs showing hours and dates are the standard proof. SNAP lists wage stubs as the main kind of documentary evidence; CMS lists paystubs as 'reasonably available' proof of hours or income.
No pay stubs? Ask your employer for a signed letter with your hours per week/month, pay, dates, and a phone number. SNAP can also call an employer as a 'collateral contact' you name.
Volunteer / community service: get a letter or log from the organization with its name and address, what you did, the dates and hours, and a contact person (name + phone/email) who can confirm. For Medicaid the group must be public or nonprofit and non-partisan.
Work program / SNAP E&T: keep attendance or sign-in records from the provider. Programs the SNAP agency runs may already report your hours; others must be verified.
School: class schedule, enrollment letter, or transcript showing half-time or more (or your credit hours if less).
Gig and self-employed work: keep a daily log of actual hours (date, start, end, task) PLUS the app's earnings statements (e.g., weekly payout summaries) and any 1099s. Some states won't turn earnings into hours for SNAP, so the hour log matters. For Medicaid, $580+/month household income may be enough on its own.
Exemption proof: VA rating letter (100% for Medicaid), SNAP or TANF approval notices, doctor's statement for health limits, tribal enrollment or IHS eligibility papers.
You never have to bring proof in person for SNAP; you can mail, fax, upload, or send it through an authorized representative. Medicaid must take proof by all application channels (online, phone, mail, in person).
Missed hours for illness, a family emergency, or no ride? Tell SNAP; temporary 'good cause' still counts you as meeting the rule.
Keep copies of everything you send and the date sent. States must keep case files that support their decision, and you have fair-hearing rights.

Volunteering? See how to prove volunteer hours. Your state’s rules: pick your state.

Keep proof of every hour

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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.