Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements during the Biden administration

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Work Requirements Banner Gold.png
Work requirements
Work Requirements Icon 200x200.png
• Work requirements by state • Index of articles
• Major arguments
• Reform proposals
•Medicaid work requirements
• Public housing work requirements
• SNAP work requirements
• Child care subsidy work requirements
• Laws
• Court cases
• Scholarly work

This page features information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements during the Biden administration.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 modified work requirements for SNAP benefits, including raising the maximum age for able-bodied adults without dependents from 49 to 54.

    • Background of SNAP work requirements

    See also: U.S. Department of Agriculture

    SNAP has two types of work requirements: general work requirements and able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements. The following sections provide information about the two types of SNAP work requirements.

    General SNAP work requirements

    General SNAP work requirements mandate that individuals aged 16 to 59 who can work must complete the following work-related activities:

    • Register for work
    • Participate in SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs
    • Take a suitable job if it is offered
    • Not voluntarily quit a job or reduce work hours below 30 hours a week without cause.[1]


    Individuals do not have to register for general work requirements if they already meet the following conditions when they apply for SNAP benefits:

    • Work at least 30 hours a week
    • Meet work requirements for another public benefits program
    • Care for a child under six years old or an incapacitated person
    • Are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation
    • Are participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program
    • Are studying in school
    • Are attending a training program[1]

    Able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements for SNAP

    The ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents) work requirement under SNAP applies to individuals aged 18 to 64 without children. To remain eligible for SNAP, ABAWDs must meet one of the following work-related activities:

    • Work or Volunteer: At least 80 hours per month (about 20 hours per week).
    • Participate in a Work Program: Participate in a federal, state, or local work program, such as SNAP Education and Training (E&T), for at least 80 hours per month.

    Time Limit for ABAWDs

    ABAWDs who do not meet the work requirement can only receive SNAP benefits for three months in a 36-month period. After reaching this time limit, they lose eligibility for benefits unless they start meeting the work requirement.[1][2]

    Requalifying for SNAP Benefits

    If an ABAWD loses eligibility due to failing to meet the work requirement, they can requalify for benefits by meeting the work requirement for 30 consecutive days. However, if they do not meet the work requirement within this 30-day period, they will be ineligible for SNAP for the next three years.

    Time Limit Waivers

    States can request temporary waivers for ABAWD work requirements in areas where jobs are scarce. These waivers apply in places with an unemployment rate above 10%, or in noncontiguous states (Alaska and Hawaii) if the unemployment rate is at or above 1.5 times the national unemployment rate.[3]

    As of the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, three states had full ABAWD time limit waivers, and 25 states had waivers for specific counties with high unemployment.[4]

    SNAP work requirements during the Biden administration

    See also: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements during the Trump administration

    This section includes information on activities affecting SNAP work requirements during the Biden administration.

    The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 changes SNAP work requirements

    The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, signed by President Joe Biden (D) on June 3, 2023, modified work requirements for SNAP benefits. Prior to the new law, able-bodied adults without dependents from ages 18 to 49 were required to complete 80 hours of work-related activities per month to receive SNAP benefits. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 implemented phased-in changes to SNAP work requirements and expanded the ages of work requirement participants to able-bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 18 to 54. The federal legislation also allowed new work exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster children under age 25.[5][6]

    See also

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 USDA, "SNAP Work Requirements," accessed May 16, 2023
    2. ↑ HHS, "SNAP ABAWD work requirements," accessed June 2, 2023
    3. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - 119th Congress (2025 - 2026)," July 4, 2025
    4. ↑ USDA Food and Nutrition Service, "ABAWD Waivers," accessed July 1, 2025
    5. ↑ CNN, Here’s who would have to work for government benefits – and who wouldn’t – under the debt ceiling package, accessed June 22, 2023
    6. ↑ White House, HR 346, accessed June 22, 2023
    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Supplemental_Nutrition_Assistance_Program_work_requirements_during_the_Biden_administration&oldid=10373962"