Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements during the Trump administrations
This page features information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements during the Trump administrations.
President Donald Trump's (R) first presidential term began on January 20, 2017, and ended on January 20, 2021. His second term began on January 20, 2025.
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
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 Trump administrations
This section includes information on activities affecting SNAP work requirements during the Trump administrations.
Trump administration, first term (2017-2021)
Trump executive order calls for review and enforcement of work requirements
Executive Order 13828: Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility, signed by President Donald Trump (R) on April 10, 2018, called for a review and enforcement of existing work requirements in SNAP and other public assistance programs. E.O. 13828 called for a review of federally funded workforce development programs and mandated that programs be consolidated if more than one executive department or entity administers similar programs. It mandated that state agencies enforce existing work requirements for public assistance programs, such as SNAP.[5]
The Food and Nutrition Service publishes rule on SNAP work requirements for ABAWDs
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a final rule on December 5, 2019, titled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. The final rule limited the ability of U.S. Department of Agriculture to waive the time limit for ABAWDs, when requested by states, if the unemployment rate was greater than 10%. On October 18, 2020, the rule was vacated by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which found that the final rule was arbitrary and capricious. [6][7]
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed by President Donald Trump (R) on March 18, 2020, allowed states to use temporary SNAP flexibility to provide emergency benefit supplements. The Act prohibited states from removing ABAWDs from the SNAP program unless the individual refused to participate in state work programs or workfare programs. It suspended the participation time limit of three out of 36 months for ABAWDs who did not meet work requirements as long as those individuals did not refuse work opportunities provided by the state without good cause.[8]
Trump administration, second term (2025-2029)
USDA press release states: Those who can work should (2025)
On April 17, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a press release and a memorandum concerning the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) time limit waivers for the SNAP work requirement. The USDA statements argued that those who can work should work. Both documents mentioned that the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 amended SNAP's purpose statement to include assisting low-income adults in obtaining employment and increasing their earnings as one of the program's goals.[9][10]
Secretary of agriculture Brooke Rollins stated:
| “ | It is important to remind states that Congress conditioned the receipt of benefits by able-bodied adults without dependents on satisfying work requirements. Many states have abused the system by requesting work requirement waivers. Today marks the start of a new era for SNAP—prioritizing work, career and technical education, and volunteering rather than idleness, excess spending, and misapplication of the law.[11] | ” |
Secretary Rollins was appointed by President Donald Trump (R) in his second administration.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act changes ABAWD work requirements
The 2025 budget reconciliation bill that was signed into law on July 4 changed the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirement for SNAP. The age range for ABAWDs who are required to work was expanded from ages 18 to 54 to include adults up to age 64. Exemptions were removed for people who are currently homeless, who are veterans, who are responsible for a dependent child over the age of 13, and people who are 24 years old or younger and were in foster care when they became legal adults in their state. Exemptions were added for individuals who are defined as Indian, Urban Indian, or Californian Indian by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.[12]
Under the new law, the following are exempt from the ABAWD work requirements for the SNAP program:
- People under 18 or over 65 years of age,
- Individuals who are medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment,
- Caregivers responsible for a dependent child under 14 years of age,
- People who are exempt from general SNAP work requirements,
- Individuals who are pregnant, and
- People defined as an Indian, Urban Indian, or Californian Indian by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
The bill also removed language allowing states to apply for time limit waivers to the ABAWD work requirements if there are insufficient jobs. States other than Alaska and Hawaii may only apply for these waivers if the unemployment rate is above 10%. The bill allows Alaska and Hawaii to acquire these time limit waivers if the unemployment rate is 1.5 times that of the national unemployment rate or more until the end of 2028.
See also
- Arguments about work requirements for public assistance programs
- Court cases related to work requirements for public assistance programs
- Scholarly work related to work requirements for public assistance programs
- Work requirements policies in the 2025 budget reconciliation bill (One Big Beautiful Bill Act)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 USDA, "SNAP Work Requirements," accessed May 16, 2023
- ↑ HHS, "SNAP ABAWD work requirements," accessed June 2, 2023
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - 119th Congress (2025 - 2026)," July 4, 2025
- ↑ USDA Food and Nutrition Service, "ABAWD Waivers," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Gov Info, Executive Order 13828, accessed June 1, 2023
- ↑ "Justia," "District of Columbia, et al, v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, et al," accessed October 25, 2023.
- ↑ "Food and Nutrition Service," "Final Rule: SNAP Rescission of Requirements for ABAWDS: Notice of Vacatur, " accessed October 25, 2023.
- ↑ CBPP, Temporary Flexibility in SNAP, accessed May 16, 2023
- ↑ USDA, "USDA Reiterates Importance of Those Who Can Work, Should Work While Receiving SNAP," accessed April 28, 2025
- ↑ USDA FNS, "The Secretary’s Authority on Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Waivers," accessed April 28, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - 119th Congress (2025 - 2026)," accessed July 10, 2025
