If you receive SNAP benefits — or are thinking about applying — understanding the work requirements is critical. Get them wrong and you risk losing the food assistance your family depends on. In 2026, SNAP work requirements apply to most able-bodied adults, and recent changes have expanded the rules to cover a wider age range than ever before. The Fiscal Responsibility Act that passed in 2023 gradually raised the age limit for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) from 49 to 54, with the final expansion taking effect in 2025. That means more Americans than ever must meet work or training requirements to maintain their SNAP benefits.
The good news is that meeting these requirements does not have to mean a traditional 9-to-5 job, and supplemental income tools help you stay both compliant and financially stable. Apps like I am Beezy let you earn $5 to $15 per day by viewing content on your cell phone — not enough to replace employment, but enough to add $150 to $300 per month to your household budget while you meet SNAP requirements through work, training, or volunteering. Let us break down exactly what the 2026 rules require and how to comply.
Understanding SNAP Work Requirements in 2026
General work requirements for all SNAP recipients
Every able-bodied SNAP recipient aged 16 to 59 (with some exceptions) must meet general work requirements. These include: registering for work with your state employment agency, accepting a suitable job offer if one is presented, not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your hours below 30 per week without good cause, and participating in an employment or training program if assigned by your state. Failure to meet these requirements can result in disqualification from SNAP benefits. These general requirements apply broadly but are less restrictive than the ABAWD rules described below.
ABAWD rules: The stricter time-limited requirements
ABAWDs face additional, stricter requirements. An ABAWD is defined as a SNAP recipient aged 18 to 54 (as of 2026) who does not have dependents, is not pregnant, and is not exempt due to disability or other qualifying conditions. ABAWDs must work or participate in a qualifying work program for at least 80 hours per month — approximately 20 hours per week. If you do not meet this requirement, your SNAP benefits are limited to 3 months out of every 36-month period. After that 3-month window, you lose benefits entirely until you meet the work requirement again.
What counts toward the 80-hour requirement
Meeting the ABAWD work requirement is broader than just holding a traditional job. Any of the following count toward your 80 hours per month: paid employment (including part-time work), participation in a SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, community service or volunteer work through an approved program, participation in a workfare program, and combinations of the above. Some states also count vocational training, GED programs, and job search activities. Check with your local SNAP office to confirm exactly which activities count in your state.
Who Is Exempt from SNAP Work Requirements
Exemptions from general work requirements
The following individuals are exempt from general SNAP work requirements: people under 16 or over 59, individuals with a physical or mental disability that prevents them from working, people responsible for the care of a dependent child under 6 or an incapacitated household member, students enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school or training program, individuals already participating in a substance abuse treatment program, and pregnant women. If any of these apply to you, you are not subject to the general work requirements.
Exemptions from ABAWD time limits
In addition to the exemptions above, ABAWDs are also exempt from the 80-hour work requirement if they live in an area with high unemployment (designated by the USDA as an ABAWD waiver area), are a veteran, are homeless, are aged 24 or under and were previously in foster care, or are receiving unemployment benefits. States have a limited number of individual exemptions they can grant each year, so even if you do not meet a standard exemption category, ask your caseworker about discretionary exemptions.
What Changed in 2026 Compared to Previous Years
Age expansion for ABAWDs
The most significant change is the age range. Before the Fiscal Responsibility Act, ABAWD rules only applied to adults aged 18 to 49. The law gradually expanded this to age 54, with full implementation by October 2025. In 2026, this means adults aged 50 to 54 without dependents are now subject to the 80-hour work requirement for the first time. If you are in this age group and receiving SNAP, you must either meet the work requirement, qualify for an exemption, or risk losing benefits after 3 months.
New exemptions added alongside the age expansion
To offset the expanded age range, Congress also added new exemption categories. Veterans and people experiencing homelessness are now specifically exempt from ABAWD time limits, regardless of age. Former foster youth aged 24 and under also received an exemption. These new exemptions were designed to protect vulnerable populations from losing food assistance due to the expanded work requirements.
| Category | Before 2025 | 2026 Rules |
|---|---|---|
| ABAWD age range | 18-49 | 18-54 |
| Monthly work hours required | 80 hours | 80 hours (unchanged) |
| Time limit without work | 3 months in 36 | 3 months in 36 (unchanged) |
| Veterans exempt | Not specified | Yes, explicitly exempt |
| Homeless individuals exempt | Not specified | Yes, explicitly exempt |
| Former foster youth (under 25) | Not specified | Yes, explicitly exempt |
How to Meet Work Requirements While Building Financial Stability
Use SNAP Employment and Training programs
Every state offers SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs that count toward your work requirement. These programs provide job training, resume assistance, interview preparation, and sometimes direct job placement. Many E&T programs also cover transportation costs and provide supportive services like childcare referrals. Participation in these programs satisfies the ABAWD 80-hour requirement even if you have not yet found paid employment. Contact your local SNAP office to learn what E&T programs are available in your area.
Volunteer work counts too
Community service through an approved program counts toward your ABAWD hours. This can include volunteering at food banks, community centers, nonprofits, or other organizations — an ironic but practical option for someone who needs food assistance. Your SNAP office can approve volunteer placements and help you log your hours for compliance. Volunteering also builds your resume and connects you with potential employers.
Supplement your income while staying compliant
Meeting work requirements and affording groceries are two separate challenges. Even people who work 20 or more hours per week often cannot afford sufficient food on low wages alone — that is precisely why they qualify for SNAP. Supplemental income from I am Beezy fills the gap. Earning $5 to $15 per day from content viewing adds $150 to $300 per month on top of whatever you earn from work or training. That money goes toward items SNAP does not cover — toiletries, cleaning supplies, prepared foods — and toward keeping your pantry stocked when your EBT balance runs low at the end of the month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I lose my job while receiving SNAP?
Report the job loss to your SNAP office immediately. If you lose your job involuntarily (layoff, company closure, reduction in force), you will not be penalized. You will typically receive a new 3-month ABAWD clock and may qualify for other exemptions, especially if you are receiving unemployment benefits. Your SNAP benefit amount may also increase because your income decreased.
Do I need to report income from apps like Beezy to my SNAP office?
Yes, you are required to report all income changes to your SNAP office. However, SNAP allows earned income deductions — the first $198 of monthly earned income is excluded, plus 20% of the remainder. Small supplemental earnings often have minimal impact on your benefit amount. Contact your caseworker to understand how additional income affects your specific case.
Can I fulfill SNAP work requirements with part-time work?
Yes. The ABAWD requirement is 80 hours per month, which works out to about 20 hours per week. Any paid employment counts, including part-time work. If your hours fall short of 80 in a given month, you can make up the difference with approved volunteer work, training activities, or a combination of qualifying activities.
What if my state has waived ABAWD requirements?
States can request waivers from ABAWD time limits for areas with high unemployment. If you live in a waived area, the 80-hour work requirement and 3-month time limit do not apply to you. Check with your local SNAP office or visit fns.usda.gov to see if your county is currently covered by an ABAWD waiver. Waiver status can change annually based on local economic conditions.
Stay Informed and Stay Covered
SNAP work requirements are manageable once you understand the rules. Know your status — are you a general recipient, an ABAWD, or exempt? Take advantage of E&T programs and volunteer opportunities that count toward your hours. Report changes promptly and keep records of your compliance. While you meet the requirements, make sure you are also maximizing your household income. Sign up for I am Beezy for free and start earning extra dollars that go straight toward the groceries and essentials your family needs — because meeting work requirements and eating well should not be an either-or choice.
