Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)
Important Changes to Maryland SNAP Benefits
Starting November 1, 2025, if you’re a Maryland SNAP recipient between 18 and 64 years old and don’t meet an exemption, you’ll be considered an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD).
This means you’ll need to meet specific work requirements to keep getting your SNAP benefits. If you have questions or need help, please call the DHS Customer Call Center at 1-800-332-6347.
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 65 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,
- Are Indian, Urban Indian, or California Indian,
- 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), or
- Living with someone under 14 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.