Work requirements for public assistance in Utah

• Work requirements
  • Index of articles related to work requirements
  • Work requirements for public assistance in the states
  • Medicaid work requirements
  • Public housing work requirements
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements
  • Child care subsidy work requirements
• Major arguments
  • Arguments against work requirements for public assistance programs
  • Arguments in favor of work requirements for public assistance programs
• Reform proposals
  • Reform proposals related to Medicaid work requirements
  • Reform proposals related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements
  • Reform proposals related to public housing work requirements
  • Reform proposals related to child care subsidy work requirements
• Laws
• Court cases
• Scholarly work
• Related federal agencies
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

See also: Reform proposals related to work requirements for public assistance programs

This page provides information about work requirements for public assistance in Utah 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 Utah 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)

Previously called food stamps, the federal work requirement is generally 30 hours per week, but for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), it is 20 hours per week. 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. ABAWDs who fail to meet the work requirement can only receive SNAP benefits for up to 3 months in a 36-month period unless they meet the requirement or are exempt.

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 eight 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 Utah'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.

Utah work requirements for public assistance, by type
Type of public assistance	Utah requirements	Federal requirements	State options
SNAP	No waiver as of 2024	20 hours (general)/30 hours (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).
Public housing	None	Eight hours of community service	Public housing authorities must apply to the Moving to Work (MTW) Program to implement work requirements.

Work requirements by type of public assistance

Click the tabs below to learn details about each public assistance program:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Child care subsidy (CCDF)

Medicaid

Public housing

See also: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements

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.

Utah SNAP work requirements

The general SNAP work requirement in Utah 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, Utah does not have a waiver for work requirements.

Utah code regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements

The following is the text of the Utah code regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements:

342 SNAP Work Requirements

“

Work Requirements for the SNAP program must be addressed for all SNAP applicants and recipients at application and review. The customer must be verbally informed of the SNAP work requirements that pertain to them. There are 3 components that fall under the umbrella of SNAP Work Requirements. The 3 components are: General Work Requirements – These individuals are known as work registrants. A work registrant is any individual that does not meet a federal work requirement exemption. See policy 342-1A. Work registrant requirements are: Register for work at jobs.utah.gov. Accept any job offer received unless there is a good reason they can't. Once working, do not voluntarily quit or reduce work hours. Individuals who voluntarily quit or reduce work hours, without good cause, may reduce or lose benefits. See policy 342-3, 342-4 and 342-5A. E&T Requirements – All SNAP recipients who do not meet a state or federal work requirement exemption must be evaluated and screened by the eligibility specialist as to whether or not the individual is an appropriate fit for E&T. If referred, the customer must participate and comply with the E&T requirements to be eligible for SNAP or they will need to report a good cause reason. E&T requirements are: Register for work at jobs.utah.gov. Complete the online evaluation. Attend a virtual workshop. Meet with their assigned employment counselor monthly. Complete any mandatory online workshops, and 48 job contacts by the end of the 3rd month. Mini-Simplified Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (MSSNAP) – Family Employment Program (FEP) Work Requirements All SNAP recipients who do not meet a state or federal E&T Work Requirement exemption must participate with their FEP plan and activities to be eligible for SNAP. ABAWD – An ABAWD is defined as a person able to work, between the ages of 18–52, and in a household with no dependent children. An ABAWD is eligible for 3 months of SNAP in a 36-month time period. See policy 341. In order to continue receiving SNAP, an ABAWD is required to: Meet a federal general work requirement exemption. Meet an ABAWD time limit exemption. Work 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month. Participate in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA)/Trade Act training for 80 hours for 30 consecutive days. Be enrolled in a training program for at least 20 hours per week. A combination of employment and training for at least 20 hours per week.

”

Federal 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

See also: Child care subsidy work requirements

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.

Utah child care subsidy (CCDF) work requirements

The work requirement for the child care subsidy (CCDF) in Utah is 15 hours per week. The following is the text of the Utah law regarding child care work requirements:

UT Admin Code R 986-700-709

“

1) Parents who are not eligible for FEP CC may be eligible for Employment Support (ES) CC. 2) ES CC is available in the following circumstances: (a) In a single-parent household, the single parent must be the custodial parent of the eligible child and must be: (i) employed an average of at least 15 hours per week; (ii) employed to the single parent's full capacity if the single parent has a disability that has been verified and confirmed by the Department; (iii) enrolled and participating in either an in-person, formal course of study or online courses with a set class schedule to obtain a high school diploma or GED; (iv) employed an average of at least 15 hours per week and participating in education and training activities as defined in Section R986-700-711; or (v) enrolled in a WIOA or TANF non-FEP funded training or educational program approved by the Department. (b) Two-parent households. (i) In a two-parent household, the parents must be: (A) employed, with one parent employed an average of at least 30 hours per week and the second parent employed an average of at least 15 hours per week; (B) employed to both parents' full capacities if one or both parents has a disability that has been verified and confirmed by the Department; (C) employed, with one parent employed an average of at least 30 hours per week and the second parent employed an average of at least 15 hours per week and participating in education and training activities as defined in Section R986-700-711; (D) enrolled and participating in an in-person, formal course of study or online courses with a set class schedule to obtain a high school diploma or GED; or (E) enrolled in a WIOA or TANF non-FEP funded training or educational program approved by the Department. (ii) (A) The Department shall authorize ES CC to two-parent households only when neither the parents' work schedules nor course schedules can be changed to provide care for the parents' child. (B) The Department may authorize ES CC when both parents are enrolled and participating in a formal course of study to obtain a high school diploma or GED. (C) The Department may authorize ES CC when one parent is working and the second parent is participating in the formal course of study to obtain a high school diploma or GED. (D) The Department may authorize ES CC when both parents are enrolled and participating in approved WIOA or TANF non-FEP funded training or education. (E) The Department may authorize ES CC when one parent is working and the second parent is participating in approved WIOA or TANF non-FEP funded training or education. (c) Self-employed parents. (i) Self-employed parents may receive ES CC if they meet the minimum work requirements and earn wages or profit from self-employment at a rate equal to at least minimum wage, calculated by dividing the wage or profit earned through self-employment by the number of hours worked in the timeframe used to determine eligibility. (ii) A self-employed parent shall submit business records for the most recent three-month period of self-employment to establish that the self-employed parent is earning at least minimum wage. (iii) An exception to the requirement that a self-employed parent earn at least minimum wage may apply if the self-employed parent has a barrier to other types of employment. 3) Employment Support CC shall be provided to cover the hours the parent needs child care for employment or approved educational or training activities.

”

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.

See also: Medicaid work requirements

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.

Utah Medicaid work requirements

There are no Medicaid work requirements in Utah as of December 2024. The state received federal approval for a waiver in December 2019 and implemented the requirements on January 1, 2020. However, the program was suspended on April 3, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 10, 2021, CMS formally withdrew the waiver approval, stating that the work requirements do not promote the objectives of the Medicaid program.

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.

See also: Public housing work requirements

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.

Utah public housing work requirements

There are 19 public housing authorities (PHAs) in Utah. Two PHAs are part of the Move to Work (MTW) program, but do not list work requirements in their annual applications as of August 2023.

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

• Utah to submit section 1115 waiver amendment request for work requirements (2025): The public comment period for Utah's proposed section 1115 waiver amendment request opened on April 22 and was scheduled to end on May 22, 2025. The amendment proposal would institute a community engagement requirement to maintain eligibility for Medicaid for individuals who aren't granted an exemption. Reasons an individual would be exempt from the requirement include being over the age of 60, being pregnant or 12 months or less postpartum, complying with SNAP work requirements, working 30 hours or more per week, and others.

• Utah Medicaid expansion in the 2018 legislative session: During the 2018 session, the Utah State Legislature passed a bill—House Bill 472—with a modified Medicaid expansion plan. The bill was designed to expand Medicaid coverage to include those at or below 95 percent of the federal poverty line with additional provisions that effectively expanded coverage to 100 percent of the federal poverty line. The bill also included provisions establishing a work, volunteer, or vocational education requirement as a condition of coverage; limits on enrollment expenses; and an automatic repeal in place for if the federal government paid any less than 90 percent of costs. On March 28, 2018, Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed the bill. It required special approval from the federal government because of the alternative version of Medicaid expansion and the special provisions and contingencies. The limited expansion would have made an estimated 70,000 additional people eligible for Medicaid, compared to 150,000 additional covered people under traditional expansion to 138 percent of the federal poverty line.

See also

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements
• Medicaid work requirements
• Public housing work requirements
• Child care subsidy work requirements

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