This page provides information about work requirements for public assistance in Alabama as of December 2024.
Work requirements for public assistance refer to conditions that require participation in employment-related activities to qualify for the assistance. These activities may include job searching, engaging in job training, volunteering, or working a specified number of hours each week.
Public assistance programs involve the division of responsibilities between the federal government and state governments. The federal government sets eligibility criteria, provides guidelines, and allocates funding for these programs, while states are responsible for administering them and, in some cases, have the authority to tailor the programs to meet local needs.
Ballotpedia has tracked work requirements in Alabama related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), child care subsidies, Medicaid, and public housing. Click here to see work requirements for public assistance in other states.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The federal work requirement for SNAP—previously called food stamps—is 20 hours per week for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). States can request temporary waivers from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to exempt recipients from ABAWD work requirements in areas with an unemployment rate above 10% or insufficient job opportunities.
Child care subsidies
Federal law requires parents receiving Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidies to work or engage in work-related activities. States have flexibility in defining eligible activities, which may include employment, job search, self-employment, education or training, foster care, and subsidized guardianship. Employment is an approved activity for CCDF subsidies in all states, and some states also allow subsidies for education and training.
Medicaid
Medicaid work requirements are eligibility conditions that require recipients to complete certain work-related activities—such as working, pursuing education, participating in a work program, or volunteering—in order to qualify for or maintain benefits. The budget reconciliation bill that was signed into law on July 4, 2025 requires states to adopt community engagement requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents on Medicaid by January 1, 2027.
Public housing
Public housing work requirements mandate that adult residents (who are not elderly, disabled, or already employed) complete 8 hours of community service per month to remain eligible for assistance. Public housing authorities (PHAs) in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Moving to Work (MTW) Program can establish additional work requirements. PHAs must apply to the MTW program to create such requirements.
The following table outlines Alabama's public assistance work requirements by type as of December 2024, including both state and federal requirements, as well as the options available to states for establishing or temporarily suspending work requirements.
Alabama work requirements for public assistance, by type
Type of public assistance
Alabama requirements
Federal requirements
State options
SNAP
No waiver as of 2024
20 hours per week (ABAWD)
States can request and implement temporary waivers for the ABAWD work requirements.
Child care subsidy(CCDF)
15 hours
Required, but undefined
States have the authority to set work requirements for child care subsidies.
Medicaid
None
None
States can apply for Section 1115 waivers to implement work requirements, but they must receive approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Federal law establishes foundational guidelines for SNAP work requirements, setting minimum standards that include defined work hours—SNAP work requirements do not vary by state. While states do not have the authority to fully implement their own specific rules, there is some flexibility in how they administer SNAP. States can determine the specifics of work requirements, define acceptable work activities, and establish processes for tracking compliance.
Alabama SNAP work requirements
The general SNAP work requirements in Alabama is 30 hours per week. Additionally, for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), the requirement is to work at least 80 hours per month, or 20 hours per week. As of the fourth quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, Alabama does not have a waiver for work requirements.[1]
Alabama code regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements
The following is the text of the Alabama code regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements:[2]
Alabama Admin Code r. 660-4-1-.03
“
(3) WORK REQUIREMENTS:
(a) Individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 who are physically and mentally fit shall be ineligible if they (1) refuse without good cause to provide sufficient information to allow a determination of their employment status or job availability; (2) voluntarily and without good cause quit a job or (3) voluntarily and without good cause reduce their work effort (and, after their reduction, are working less than 30 hours a week)
Option:
Mandatory minimum disqualification periods have been established for individuals who fail to comply with work or workfare requirements
First violation-the later of the date they comply or one month.
Second violation- the later of the date they comply with work rules or 3 months.
Third violation-The later of the date they comply with work rules or 6 months.
(b) Unless exempt, able bodied individuals without dependents are ineligible to continue to receive food assistance for more than three (3) months (consecutive or otherwise) out of 36 months during which the household member did not either (a) work at least 20 hours per week (averaged monthly); or (b) for 20 hours or more per week participate in and comply with a Job Training and Partnership Act program, Trade Adjustment Assistance Act program (other than a job search or job search training program); or participate in and comply with a workfare program under Section 20 of the Food Assistance Act or a comparable State or local program.
Provisions of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 allow state agencies to exempt from the three-month/36-month time limit up to 15 percent of the state's caseload subject to the Abie-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDS) provisions.
The first month during which an individual receives benefits while not exempt, working at least 20 hours or participating in an allowable work or training program for 20 hours shall be considered the first month of the 36-month period.
An individual is exempt from this requirement if the individual is:
(1) under 18 or over 50 years of age,
(2) medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment,
(3) a parent or other member of a household with the responsibility for a dependent child under age 18 or a caregiver for a physically or mentally disabled adult,
(4) pregnant, or
(5) otherwise exempt from work requirements under subsection (d)(2) of the Food Stamp Act. Individuals denied eligibility under the new work rule can regain eligibility if during a consecutive 30-day period the individual: works 80 hours or more; participates in and complies with a Job Training and Partnership Act program, Trade Adjustment Assistance Act program (other than a job search or job search training program) for 80 hours or more; or participates in and complies with a workfare program (under Section 20 of the Food Stamp Act or a comparable State or local program) for 80 hours or more. If individuals subsequently lose this employment or cease participation in work or workfare programs, participation can continue for up to 3 consecutive months (beginning the month following the month the county is notified that work or work participation has ended). Once this additional period of eligibility is over, the only way to resume eligibility during the 36-month period is to comply with the 20 hours per week work requirement or become exempt from the provisions as stated above.
Once the 36-month period has passed, the household member or household may again be determined eligible under routine procedures. If the member or household remains subject to this provision, a new 36-month period is determined.
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.[4]
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
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.[4][5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
States are responsible for defining the activities that qualify a family for child care subsidies through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), such as work requirements, education participation, and community service. Employment is an approved activity for CCDF funding in every state and some states also approve subsidies for parents participating in education and training activities.
Alabama child care subsidy (CCDF) work requirements
The work requirement for the child care subsidy (CCDF) in Alabama is 15 hours per week. The following is the text of the Alabama law regarding child care work requirements:[8]
“
3.1.2 Eligibility criteria: Reason for care
a. How does the Lead Agency define the following terms for the purposes of determining CCDF eligibility?
i. Define what is accepted as "Working" (including activities and any hour requirements): Employment for a minimum average of 15 hours per week (either alone or in combination with a job training or educational program) in any legally operating place of business from which the parent receives wages, salaries, commissions and tips equal to, or greater than, the federal minimum wage.
ii. Define what is accepted as "Job training" (including activities and any hour requirements): Enrolled in, attending, and satisfactorily participating in a job training or educational program, either alone or in combination with gainful employment, for a minimum average of 15 hours per week.
iii. Define what is accepted as "Education" (including activities and any hour requirements): Enrolled in, attending, and satisfactorily participating in a job training or educational program, either alone or in combination with gainful employment, for minimum average of 15 hours per week. Students enrolled full-time in an educational program, in accordance with the institution's definition of full-time are deemed to meet this requirement.
iv. Define what is accepted as "Attending" (a job training or educational program) (e.g. travel time, hours required for associated activities such as study groups, lab experiences, time for outside class study or completion of homework): Enrolled in, attending and satisfactorily participating in a job training or educational program, either alone or in combination with gainful employment, for minimum average of 15 hours per week.[3]
”
Federal child care subsidy work requirements
Federal law requires that parents receiving CCDF child care subsidies work or complete work-related activities. States are responsible for defining the activities that qualify a family for assistance through CCDF, including work requirements, education participation, and community service. Employment is an approved activity for CCDF funding in every state and some states also approve subsidies for parents participating in education and training activities. Working, periods of job search, self-employment, attending job training or education-related activities, foster care, and subsidized guardianship are activities that meet eligibility standards for CCDF subsidies in different states. State agencies have flexibility in determining eligibility for CCDF subsidies, according to HHS regulations.[9][10][11]
Medicaid work requirements are mandated work-related activities that Medicaid recipients must complete to qualify for benefits, such as applying for a job, interviewing for a job, or participating in job training or volunteer activities. Section 1115 of the Social Security Act of 1935 allows states to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval to develop state-level Medicaid work requirement programs.[12]
Alabama Medicaid work requirements
There are no Medicaid work requirements in Alabama.
Federal Medicaid work requirements
Federal law does not universally impose work requirements for Medicaid until 2027. Instead, work requirements have been introduced through state-level waivers under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act. These waivers allow states to experiment with different approaches to Medicaid, including work-related criteria. As of 2024, only Georgia has a Medicaid work requirement.
Public housing work requirements are mandated work-related activities that public housing recipients must complete to maintain eligibility for housing assistance, such as applying for a job, interviewing for a job, or participating in job training or volunteer activities.
Alabama public housing work requirements
There are 16 public housing authorities (PHAs) in Alabama. Four PHAs are part of the Move to Work (MTW) program and two list work requirements in their annual applications.
Ozark Housing Community work requirement: "Each family member aged 19-61 years of age is required to be employed a minimum of 15 hours per week (30 hours per week minimum for households with multiple eligible members) or meet a qualifying work activity such as participation in a work readiness program or GED Classes; through a partnering agency or attending school full time. This activity will move participant families toward self-sufficiency and financial independence thereby breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence on subsides."[13]
Auburn Housing Authority work requirement: The Auburn Housing Authority application notes that, beginning in 2025, it will begin "implementing employment and/or educational requirements for eligible HOH and members of household that are working age."[14]
Federal public housing work requirements
The federally required work-related activity is eight hours of community service per month for adult residents of public housing who are not elderly, disabled, or already working. Public housing authorities (PHAs) in the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Move to Work (MTW) program have the flexibility to implement additional work requirements.
Of the 123 public housing authorities (PHAs) authorized to establish work requirements under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Move to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program, 17 had work requirements as of January 9, 2024.
Public housing authorities with work requirements
Noteworthy events
There are no noteworthy events in Alabama related to work requirements for public assistance.
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