Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)

To keep getting your SNAP benefits without any breaks, you need to:

• Work
• Join a work program (you can find a list of these programs here: list of SNAP Employment & Training Providers
• Volunteer

You need to do one of these for at least 80 hours each month.

You can get a 3-month grace period of SNAP benefits between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026. This gives you time to find a job or join a work program. After these 3 months, your SNAP benefits might stop. If they do, you can get them back once you meet the work requirements or qualify for an exemption.

You may not have to do the ABAWD work program, due to an exemption, if you are:

• Younger than age 18, or age 55 or older,
• Taking care of a child younger than age 6 or someone who needs help caring for themselves,
• Already working at least 30 hours a week,
• Already earning $217.50 or more per week,
• Receiving unemployment benefits, or you applied for unemployment benefits,
• Not working because of a physical or mental health reason,
• Going to school, college, or a training program at least half-time,
• Meeting the work rules for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
• Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
• Age 24 or younger and in foster care when you were age 18,
• A veteran,
• Experiencing homelessness, or
• Living with someone under 18 in your SNAP household.

If one of these might describe you or you have questions about ABAWD requirements, please contact your Local Department of Social Services or call DHS at 1-800-332-6347. You can also check the USDA SNAP page on Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents for more information.