You’re exempt from SNAP’s work requirement if you’re under 18 or over 64, pregnant, caring for a child under 6, have a disability, or fall into several other specific categories — and as of the 2026 rule change, the general work-requirement age range now runs from 18 to 64, up from the previous 18–54 cutoff. If you don’t fit an exemption and you’re in that expanded age range, you generally need to work or participate in a qualifying program at least 80 hours a month to keep receiving SNAP past 3 months in a 3-year period.
The Full Exemption List
| Category | Exemption |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 18, or 65 and older |
| Pregnancy | Pregnant at any stage |
| Caregiving | Responsible for a child under 6, or for an incapacitated household member |
| Disability | Physically or mentally unfit for work, including a documented history of being unable to maintain employment |
| Unemployment insurance | Currently receiving or applying for unemployment benefits |
| TANF | Already meeting TANF work requirements |
| Institutional transition | Recently released from prison or another institution |
| Domestic violence | Documented victim of domestic violence |
| Substance treatment | Regularly participating in a drug or alcohol treatment/rehabilitation program |
| Students | Enrolled at least half-time in school, training, or higher education |
| Already working | Working 30+ hours a week, or earning at least the federal minimum wage × 30 hours weekly |
| Homelessness | Experiencing homelessness (some states apply additional protections here) |
What Changed in 2026
Before the 2026 update, the standard work requirement (formally, the ABAWD rule — Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) applied to adults 18 through 54. The age ceiling was raised to 64, meaning adults 55–64 who were previously automatically exempt by age now have to either meet the 80-hour monthly requirement or qualify under one of the other exemptions above — most commonly disability, caregiving, or already working. See our coverage of the June 2026 age-64 expansion for the background on why this changed.
How the 80-Hour Requirement Actually Works
If you don’t qualify for an exemption, you need 80 hours a month of one or a combination of: paid work, a SNAP Employment & Training program, a workfare program, or an approved volunteer/community work experience. It doesn’t have to be a single job — states generally let you combine hours across qualifying activities to hit the 80-hour total.
What Happens If You Don’t Meet It and Aren’t Exempt
Most states limit SNAP to 3 months within a 3-year period for adults who don’t meet the work requirement and don’t qualify for an exemption. After that, benefits stop until you either meet the requirement going forward or requalify for an exemption — a disability diagnosis, becoming a caregiver, or losing/gaining employment status can all restart your eligibility clock.
FAQ
Do I have to prove my exemption, or does SNAP just take my word for it?
Most exemptions require documentation — a doctor’s note for disability, proof of pregnancy, a child’s birth certificate for caregiving, or enrollment verification for students. Contact your caseworker about what’s accepted before your certification review.
If I qualify for an exemption now, does it apply forever?
No — exemptions are tied to your current circumstances and get re-verified at recertification. A caregiving exemption for a child under 6 ends once that child turns 6, for example.
Are these exemptions the same in every state?
The core federal exemptions are consistent nationwide, but a few states have added local exemptions (homelessness protections vary especially) — check your state SNAP agency for anything beyond the federal list.
Does part-time work under 30 hours a week count toward the 80-hour requirement?
Yes — hours from part-time work count toward the 80-hour monthly total even if you’re not meeting the separate 30-hour-per-week "already working" exemption on their own.
If you’re recertifying soon and want to confirm your status, our guide to SNAP recertification deadlines and what happens if you miss one walks through that separate process, and SNAP’s 2026 income limits by household size covers the other half of ongoing eligibility.