If you get SNAP benefits and have work requirements to follow, you must work at least 20 hours a week (or 80 hours a month).

You can reach these hours by doing any of these things:

• Working
• Volunteering
• Participating in a job search or job training program, like SNAP Employment and Training

You can also fulfill the rules by earning at least $217.50 each week from work. It does not matter how many hours you work as long as you make that much money. That means if you make minimum wage in Maryland, you only need to work 14.5 hours a week to meet the requirement.

Yes, H.R.1 has changed who has to follow the work rules for a group known as ABAWDs, or able-bodied adults without dependents.

Before H.R. 1, only adults 18-54 years old had to follow these rules. Now, people up to age 64 must follow them. Certain people are no longer excused or “exempt” from these work rules. Veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth who aged out of care did not have to follow these rules before H.R.1. If you are in one of those groups, you now must follow the work rules to keep your benefits.

For people living with children, you are excused from work rules only if that child is under age 14.

Pre-H.R.1 work requirements

• Adults 18-54 who do not have a child under 18 in the house
• Veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth under age 24 who aged out of care are exempted

Post-H.R.1 work requirements

• Adults 18-64 who do not have a child under 14 in the house
• Veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth under age 24 who aged out of care are NOT exempted

People who are disabled, who are in an alcohol or drug treatment program, or who are “mentally or physically unfit for employment” are exempted.

The work requirements went into effect on November 1, 2025. For new SNAP customers applying for benefits after that date, the updated worked requirements apply to you immediately. For customers who were participating in SNAP before November 1, 2025, the work requirements will apply to you at your next recertification. As part of the application and recertification process, a caseworker will screen you to determine if you are eligible for an exception to the work requirements.

Yes. You may be excused from the work rules (also known as an exception) if one or more of the following applies to you:

 
• You are under 18 years old or over 64
 
• You are a parent or caregiver of a dependent child under 14 years old
 
• You are receiving disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, veteran’s disability through the Veteran’s Administration, or the Temporary Disability Assistance Program
• You are receiving Temporary Cash Assistance
• You are receiving or have applied for Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments
• You are in an alcohol or drug treatment program
• You are caregiving for an incapacitated individual, regardless of that individual’s age
• You are “physically or medically unfit for employment” as determined by a medical professional and documented through DHS Form 500

Yes. If the new work requirements apply to you, during your interview the case manager will explain what to do to maintain your SNAP benefits, how to show you’re meeting the new work requirements, and how to qualify for an exception.

A case manager will determine if you qualify for an exception from the work requirements. If you are required to meet work rules but think you may qualify for an exception due to a change in your circumstances, contact your local department of social services as soon as possible. You can find your nearest office here: dhs.maryland.gov/local-offices.

For individuals looking for employment, we partner with organizations across the state to help Marylanders find meaningful work, including through the SNAP Employment & Training program. These services are available at no charge. You can learn more on our website. You may also meet the work requirement by volunteering with an organization of your choice.

If a case manager determines that you do not qualify for an exception, and you cannot meet the work requirements, you can only receive SNAP for three months. If you lose your benefits, you can apply again at any time, but you must either qualify for an exception or meet the work requirements to receive SNAP.

Most Marylanders receive a $572 Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) when applying for SNAP. The SUA reduces your income on the SNAP application, which increases your benefit amount.

Under H.R.1, it is now harder for households to get the utility allowance. If no one in your home is 60 or older or has a disability, you must provide proof that you pay for these bills. This means submitting a recent utility bill from the last 30 days — otherwise your monthly SNAP benefit could be reduced.

H.R. 1 limits SNAP eligibility for New Americans to:

• Permanent Residents (green card holders)
• Cuban or Haitian Entrants
• People from the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Under the new law, refugees and people granted asylum will lose their SNAP benefits. To regain benefits, they must become Lawful Permanent Residents and receive a green card. Once they have a green card, refugees and people granted asylum can immediately access SNAP — there is no waiting period for these groups.

No, H.R. 1 will not impact cash benefits.

Yes. H.R. 1 eliminates funding for the SNAP-Ed program. Prior to H.R. 1, we partnered with the University of Maryland to help SNAP customers make informed, healthy eating choices that maximize their benefits. This $6.4 million education program reached 424,000 Marylanders, including children.

Ending this program not only stops statewide nutrition and obesity education efforts but also negatively impacts 541 SNAP-Ed partners across the state.

Before H.R. 1, the federal government covered all SNAP benefit costs and half of all SNAP administrative costs. Under H.R. 1, the federal share of administrative costs is reduced from 50% to 25%, increasing the state’s share to 75%.

Currently, Maryland spends a total of about $230 million on SNAP administrative costs, with the state and federal government each covering $115 million. Under H.R. 1, Maryland’s share will increase by $57.5 million, bringing the total state contribution to$172.5 million per year.

H.R. 1 will also make states pay for SNAP benefits based on their Payment Error Rate (PER). PER is a rate of SNAP overpayments and underpayments made to customers. Payment errors are unintentional mistakes and not the result of fraud.

– PER < 6%: 0% state match
– PER ≥ 6% but < 8%: 5% state match
– PER ≥ 8 but < 10%: 10% state match
– PER ≥ 10%: 15% state match

Under this new provision, starting on October 1, 2027, Maryland could be responsible for 15% of SNAP benefit costs, or $240 million per year based on a PER ≥ 10%. Our current federally assessed FFY24 PER is 13.64%.

Please contact your local department of social services or call our Customer Service hotline 1-800-332-6347. For TTY, dial the Maryland Relay Service: 800-735-2258.

Maryland is making it easier than ever to apply for all benefits. Marylanders are invited to check their eligibility and apply for benefits on their smart phone or a computer through MarylandBenefits.gov

Other resources include:

• SNAP Employment & Training (E&T) Partner Network: DHS has expanded its SNAP E&T network from 30 to 48 organizations to connect SNAP recipients to job training programs
• Food assistance: Food pantries and community kitchens, including the Maryland Food Bank and Capital Area Food Bank.  Gov. Wes Moore has directed $10 million in food assistance to support these efforts.
• 211 Maryland: Dial 2-1-1 to get help with food, housing, utility assistance, and other essential health and human services
• Employment support: Access 33 American Job Centers and a specialized Professional Outplacement Assistance Center for individualized career guidance, resume workshops, mock interviews, career and skills assessment, effective job search strategies, and networking support
• Career resources, for Marylanders impacted by recent federal actions, including
• Weekly virtual workshops designed specifically for former federal employees and federal contractors;
• Job fairs and recruitment events
• Unemployment insurance
• Resources for veterans
• Legal resources; and
• Other support: Assistance related to health coverage housingfood, cash, and other assistance.